waive and designate for assignment

How Does Designate For Assignment Work? [reasons, Process, & Outcomes]

If you follow Major League Baseball, then you must have heard of the term Designate for Assignment (DFA). When a player is DFA in baseball, various things can happen. Seeing this, you may ask, “what does designate for assignment mean?”

Designate for Assignment is a contractual term in MLB where the team removes the player from the active 40-man roster but still has the rights to the player. DFA puts the player on a waiver period where other teams can claim him.

But why does a team DFA a baseball player? What happens when a team designates a player for an assignment? Continue scrolling till the end as I answer all your questions regarding DFA in baseball.

Table of Contents

DFA Meaning Baseball

DFA is a term in Major League Baseball (MLB), which is a short form of “Designate for Assignment”. It means removing a player from the active roster of the baseball team without immediately releasing the member.

Many people confuse releasing with DFA. But they are different things. When a team designates a player for assignment, it is setting aside the player, not completely releasing them from the team.

Reasons for Designating Players for Assignment

A team can designate a player due to various reasons. It can be for changing the game strategy and tactics or trying to strengthen the team.

Here are the most common reasons why a baseball designates a player for assignment:

• Performance issues: Performance reason is the primary reason for DFA. If a player fails to perform well and does not meet the team’s expectations, then the management may decide to DFA him and take someone else on the team.

The performance issues can be anything from struggling with batting to poor fielding or pitching and more. Even though the player is not performing well, the team may not want to leave the player completely. That is why they opt for DFA.

• Making room for new players: If the management finds an excellent performer outside the team, then they might decide to DFA an existing player. It will create room for the new player.

The new player may come from performing fantastically in the minor league. Plus, the management may also trade in new players from other teams.

• Creating balance in the team: Although the management plans well before listing their roster, they can still find an imbalance in the team. Besides, they may also want to switch players to change their game strategy.

In that case, designating a player for assignment from the team can be the best solution. It will allow the team to bring in a new player with the required skill to create balance in the baseball team.

• Trade options: Teams may also want to trade a player and that is why they do DFA. If the team directly releases the player, it will not give them any financial benefit. But they can DFA the player and look for trade opportunities.

If any other team is interested in the player, they may try to buy the designated player. In that case, the original team will get financial benefits from the trade.

• Injuries: Injuries can also be a reason for DFA. Athletes can get injured at any time while playing. If the injury lasts long, it can hurt the team as that member can not play for the team.

In that case, the team usually DFA the injured player. Then the team brings in fit baseball players to continue the campaign with a full active 40-man roster. 

Designate for Assignment Process

Designate for Assignment in baseball is usually made by the team’s front office. It includes the coaching staff and general manager. They evaluate the player’s performance and the team’s need to make the call.

Once they make the decision, they will let the player and the MLB authority know about it. The team management will also inform the media about the decision to keep the fans updated and also let other teams know about player availability.

What Happens After Designation for Assignment?

When a player is designated for assignment, he enters the waiver period. It means the other baseball teams have the opportunity to claim the player. The waiver period usually lasts 7 days in MLB.

If another team claims the player during this waiver period, then they get all the rights to the player and can move him to their active roster. Such trading is common in other sports too.

In this scenario, the team who designated that player for assignment relinquishes all the rights of the player. Now, the new team will take care of the player’s contract and salary.

However, if no other team claims the player during the waiver period, he will be outright assigned to the minor leagues. It will happen when the player has minor league options remaining and is not claimed off waivers.

If the player is outrighted to the minor leagues, he will be removed from the MLB team’s 40-man roster. But he will remain with the organization and enjoy all the benefits.

Interestingly, the player has two choices here. He can either accept the outright assignment and play in the minor leagues or can ask for release and become a free agent.

Many players often are not interested in playing in the minor leagues. In that case, they ask for release after the DFA. Then he becomes a free agent, and any other MLB team can sign that player.

1. What is the difference between DFA and being released?

The main difference between DFA and being released is that the team retains the right to the player in DFA. But when the team releases a player in baseball, it terminates all the contracts between them, and the team holds no right to the player.

2. What is the difference between options and designated for assignment?

The main difference between options and designated for assignment is that the option allows the team to send the player to the minor leagues without putting him into the waiver period. That means no other team can claim the player. 

3. Can a player refuse assignment after being designated for assignment?

No. A player usually does not hold the right to refuse a designate for assignment. However, if he has been with MLB for over 3 years or has been outrighted previously, he can refuse the outright assignment.

4. Can a team designate a player for assignment multiple times?

Yes. A team can designate a player multiple times during their contract period. Whenever the team feels that the player is failing to meet the team’s expectations, they can DFA the player.

My Opinion on DFA

DFA in baseball can be tough for players. The miseries enhance when no other team shows interest in claiming or trading that player.

But it is good practice to get better team results in the MLB. The process allows the team to reorganize and improve their performance. Besides, it also allows the player to look for better opportunities in other teams.

For these reasons, I think DFA is a pretty good option for both the team and the player. It can benefit both parties.

Learn More What Is A Breaking Ball?

What Is WAR (Wins Above Replacement) In Baseball

What Does Defect Mean In Baseball?

What Is The Dropped Third Strike Rule

What Is The Pennant In Baseball

Hello everyone. My name is  Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player.  I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego. 

I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit. 

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MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

Here’s a glossary of what MLB transaction terms really mean.

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Now that the 2017 World Series is over, Major League Baseball teams are wasting no time in making moves to adjust their rosters for the 2018 season.

Andrew Romine was placed on waivers and claimed by the Seattle Mariners . Jim Adduci cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minor leagues. Alex Presley cleared waivers, was outrighted, and elected free agency. Tyler Collins cleared waivers, was outrighted, and might elect free agency. Kyle Ryan, Myles Jaye , Bryan Holaday , and Efren Navarro were also placed on outright waivers. Eight players, all placed on waivers, with different situations.

Here is how they work.

What are waivers?

Waivers are a way for a major league team to take a player off its 40-man roster in order to send him outright to the minor leagues, or release him and let him become a free agent. A player cannot be removed from the 40-man roster without first clearing waivers, where all 29 other teams have a chance to claim that player, and his existing contract, for a modest waiver fee.

What are MLB options?

An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other teams.

Once a player is added to a team’s 40-man roster, his team has three options, or three different seasons in which the club may to send him to the minor leagues without having to clear waivers. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on optional assignment. There is no limit on the number of times a club may promote and demote a player during one option season.

A player must spend at least 20 days total in the minor leagues during one season (not including rehabilitation assignments) in order to be charged with an option. John Hicks was sent up and down a half dozen times during the 2017 season, but used just one option.

When a player is out of options, he cannot be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers. Also, a player who has accrued at least five years of major league service time may not be optioned to the minors without his consent. Hicks , as well as Bruce Rondon , Drew VerHagen , Matt Boyd and Buck Farmer are now out of options, so they will have to go on waivers if they don’t make the team in the spring.

There are three types of waivers.

Outright waivers

Outright waivers are used when a team wants to send a player to the minors but he is out of options. If the player clears waivers, he may be outrighted to the minor leagues.

However, a player may only be outrighted once during his career without his consent. When a player is outrighted for the second time or more, he may elect to become a free agent either immediately, if during the season, or as soon as the season is over, unless he is added back to the 40-man roster. This is why Tyler Collins can — and probably will — elect free agency.

A player with three years of major league service may also refuse an outright assignment and choose to become a free agent immediately or at the end of the season. Alex Presley, who has over four years of service time in the majors, rejected his outright assignment and chose free agency.

Release waivers

Release waivers are requested when a team wants to give a player his unconditional release.

Special waivers

Special Waivers , also known as revocable waivers or major league waivers, are used only between July 31 and the end of each season. These waivers are required in order to trade a player who is on the 40-man roster to another major league team after the trade deadline. Justin Verlander cleared waivers and was traded to the Houston Astros on August 31 in one of the most famous post-deadline trades ever.

What does it mean for a player to be designated for assignment?

A player may be designated for assignment (DFA) , giving the team 10 days to either trade him, or send him to the minor leagues, provided he clears waivers.

Romine and Presley were eligible for arbitration this offseason, and the Tigers were not prepared to risk going through that process with them. The same fate may await Bruce Rondon or Blaine Hardy, who are also eligible for arbitration this winter. BYB posted the projected salaries for the Tigers’ arbitration eligible players here .

Hardy still has an option year remaining, whereas Presley, Romine, and Rondon are all out of options.

The Tigers have until December 1 to offer a contract to their arbitration-eligible players. If they don’t make an offer, the player is said to be “non-tendered” and becomes a free agent.

Teams have until November 20 to submit their reserve lists of up to 40 players to the MLB office in advance of the Rule 5 draft. The Tigers will be adding some young players to the roster by that date, and will want to keep a spot or two open so that they may make a selection with their first pick in the draft on December 14.

Thursday was the day that players who are eligible for free agency became free agents, but the Tigers had no such players, having traded any would-be free agents during the season. Detroit formally declined their $16 million option on Anibal Sanchez on Thursday, paying him a $5 million buyout and making him a free agent.

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What is Designated for Assignment (DFA) Mean in Baseball?

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Of all the distinctive terms used in Major League Baseball, “Designated for assignment” must be near the top of the list for the hardest to explain to new fans. When a player is declared this, often stated as “He was DFA’d,” what exactly does it mean?

Designated for assignment refers to a player’s contract, and it means the team will immediately remove that player from its 40-man roster. For MLB fans, it means you will no longer be seeing that player on that team, at least for a decent spell.

Typically MLB teams do this to clear space for another move, or simply to rid a player from the squad entirely.

Once a player is officially DFA’d, a 7-day period begins, where the club must make a decision about the next destination for that player. In other words, it’s a way for baseball teams to put a player in temporary limbo while they try to figure out their roster situation.

During the 7-day period, that player can be sent to one of the team’s minor league affiliates; traded to another team; or placed on waivers, a list of players for other teams to acquire (under certain rules).

Basically, when you see this term attached to a player, that person is being moved off the regular MLB team at least for the time being. Sometimes, though not often, they are returned to their original team.

Baseball Club Options with Players Designated for Assignment

Once a player is DFA’d, the clock starts for the club to pick an option for that player’s immediate future. Those options are:

• Assign the player to one of a minor league team affiliated with the club. (This is not available for all players; see Common Questions at bottom).
• Place the player on the Waiver Wire . This move begins another type of clock ~ where other teams can take the player, under the league’s waiver rules.

2B. If the player on the waiver wire is claimed, his new team must immediately put him on their 40-man roster.

2C. If the player, over a specified period of time, is unclaimed from waivers, he can be assigned to his previous team’s minor league system. Unless: The player has enough service time in the major leagues, or has run out of minor league options (See below), in which case he becomes a free agent who can sign a contract with any team.

• The player could be released from his contract, that is, set entirely free to go play with any other team. In such instances, the club is responsible for paying the player according to the terms of their contract together.

Types of Rosters in Major League Baseball

All this talk assumes fans know what a 40-man roster is ~ and it’s not just the list of players the current MLB team can use for games. That would be the 26-man roster.

Here’s a breakdown of the 2 types of MLB rosters, which are essentially lists of their players who either can be used in games (26-man), or who are in line to play in games in the near future as well (40-man).

26-Man Roster in MLB

The 26-man roster (or 24- or 25-man rosters in seasons past) is for players available to participate in MLB game play. Players not on the 26-man roster, such as those on injured lists, or in the minor leagues, cannot be entered into an MLB game.

So, MLB teams cannot just sign anyone off the street and instantly insert them into a game. Well, maybe not instantaneously, but at least a full day. However, even that would involve some juggling of personnel, as noted in this article.

40-Man Roster in MLB

A club’s 40-man roster is filled by a combination of players on the 26-man roster; along with players on various injured lists (7-, 10-, and 15-day injured lists); on an emergency list for bereavement or a family medical emergency; and some minor league players.

All players on a 26-man roster are also on the 40-man roster. That leaves a club 14 spots to manage all year long ~ and not just during the regular season.

The 40-man roster is important to watch during the offseason , as all those players are protected from other teams “taking” them in what’s called the Rule 5 Draft, held at the end of every year during the MLB’s Winter Meetings.

Notes on the Rule 5 Draft in Major League Baseball

Since 1920, the Rule 5 Draft has given minor league players opportunities with new MLB clubs ~ if their original club did not protect them from this draft by keeping them on the 40-man roster.

The way it works is, clubs with a spot open on their own 40-man roster select players not on 40-man rosters of the other clubs. This ends up like the regular MLB draft, with teams selecting in reverse order of the standings the previous season.

Players are eligible for selection if they are not on their team’s 40-man roster at the time of the draft, and they have either spent 4 seasons in professional baseball after signing at age 19 or older; or spent 5 seasons in pro ball after signing at age 18 or younger.

Even when drafting an eligible player, it’s not over. The new team pays the player’s previous club $100,000, places the player on its 40-man roster, AND then must keep the player on the 26-man roster for the entire next season.

This last requirement makes selecting other team’s unprotected minor league players a true challenge, as they do not yet know if that player will succeed at the major league level. If not, the team pretty much loses a roster spot through season’s end, filled by a player who can hardly contribute.

If the new club takes that player off the 26-man roster, however, it has to offer to return him to his previous team for $50,000.

Perhaps the most famous Rule 5 case was that of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 19 and buried on their Montreal, Canada minor league team, where he got all of 155 at bats .

That didn’t fool Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who that winter selected Clemente in the Rule 5 Draft ~ and then had to keep him on the roster that next season even as he struggled as a young foreign player competing at the game’s highest level.

Eventually the Puerto Rican hero came around, and became one of the best outfielders of all time.

Why Does ‘Designated for Assignment’ in Baseball Have to be So Complicated?

This all may seem confusing, but this system of using players in MLB game play, and also having extra players in case of injuries or emergencies, has evolved with the game. It’s a necessary structure that MLB clubs agree to abide by, for a lot of reasons, avoiding mayhem among them.

When a new fan sees these types of terms, usually in the agate type or side notes in sports sections, or sometimes added to the end of game news reports, they should consider just how hard it is to field a professional baseball team on a near-daily basis.

Baseball might look leisurely to play, but in reality the players exert parts of their body quite extensively ~ in some instances beyond what they are capable of naturally. A summary of a baseball player’s body that could force him off the field at any time:

• Arms . This includes shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers ~ all essential for baseball players to compete at all. The shoulders and elbows, in particular, are punished by the act of throwing a 5-ounce ball repeatedly over extended periods of time.
• Legs . Baseball is not a game of constant motion like the other major team sports. There is a lot of very instant starting, and quick stopping, which puts a lot of pressure on the tendons, ligaments, and joints of the legs. Knees and ankles give baseball players trouble, due to the starting-stopping, plus a lot of twisting involved in hitting and throwing.
• Core . This includes the abdomen, hips, and upper thighs. Probably more than the other major team sports, baseball is very tough on the middle of the body , mainly due to all the twisting. Batting, in particular, requires a tremendous twist of the torso to get the bat through the hitting zone, which can impact many muscle groups, as well as the spine.
• Back . Baseball players are susceptible to back injuries, mainly due to either overextending, or under-stretching. Often it’s a combination of both.

Add to all that the mental aspect of living life (e.g. having a wife and family) while away from home for weeks at a time, and the constant stress of having to perform well to remain in the game (and make more money). All the games, practices, stress, travel, loneliness, and more, can take a toll on any ballplayer.

In summary, any of these body (and mind) areas can take a baseball player out of service, maybe just for a few days, or a few weeks, or even many months. You can tell how often players get hurt by the MLB’s types of injured lists: the 7-day, 15-day, and 60-day injured list.

Roster Management in Baseball

All this gets us to the people responsible for getting the best players possible on the field during any MLB game. It’s not as simple as sending out the same 9 guys day in and day out. Pitchers in particular cannot pitch every single day, so extra pitchers must be brought along.

Some players might hurt a body part, but not in a major way, so all they need is a bit of rest. In these instances, pro baseball teams need a bench full of replacement players waiting to get in the game.

There’s also some competitive strategy involved. Baseball clubs can make changes to their roster daily, so if they foresee a problem upcoming, they can make roster changes to address it. Examples:

• Lengthy road trips . A club seeing a long stretch of games away from home might carry an extra pitcher just for that period. When they return home, they might send that extra pitcher back to the high minor leagues.
• Opposition strengths and weaknesses. The MLB regular-season schedule can be quirky, and sometimes teams play the same squads, or groups of them (e.g. from the same division), repeatedly over a short period. Maybe a club manager sees a group of upcoming games where every team has a lot of left-handed pitchers. Then, he may choose to swap out left-handed hitters, and add in more righties, just for that period of time.

In other words, the managers (and general managers) of MLB teams are constantly tinkering with their rosters, for a lot of reasons. Terms like DFA exist to add structure to all of this, in an attempt to ensure fairness for all the clubs, and avoid anarchy.

In summary, the designated for assignment system exists so MLB teams can add a newly acquired player onto their roster ~ through a free agent signing, a trade, a waiver wire grab, or to pull a player up from a minor league team; or to address players bouncing between the injured lists.

Whenever a player is getting healthy enough to return, fans usually get quite excited. But understand, for every player returning to play, another is forced to leave.

Common Questions

Question: what is the difference between being designated for assign and being “optioned”.

Answer: Remaining on the 40-man roster, or not. To be optioned means a player on the 40-man roster is moved to an “optional assignment” with one of the club’s minor league affiliates. An “option” is good for an entire season; and players only get so many options before clubs can no longer send them to a minor league team for roster management purposes. With DFA, if a player has an option remaining, that is something the club could choose to do in the 7-day “decision” period.

Q.: Why do teams only get 7 days to decide what to do with DFA’d players?

A.: It’s according to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is the operating structure of the MLB between clubs and players. This period is adjusted periodically upon agreement of a majority of owners and the players. For instance, in the CBA of 2012-16, the period was 10 days.

What does 'DFA' mean in baseball? It's not an endearing abbreviation.

Albert Pujols . David Ortiz. Alex Rodriguez. Manny Ramirez. Nelson Cruz. Robinson Cano. Justin Upton.

Ortiz is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pujols is a lock for the Hall. Cruz is a future candidate for Cooperstown. And all were former major league All-Stars.

What do they all have in common?

Each of them have been DFA'd during their major league baseball career.

Ultimately, it means the player is cut from a team. It's one of several transactions that can happen to an MLB player. But it's a more common process for players who are in the latter years of their career and in the middle of a contract.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

What does DFA mean in baseball?

Designated for assignment.

It's one of the more unique transaction types in baseball, where unlike being traded, the player is optioned to the minor leagues or simply cut from the roster.

What does being designated for assignment mean?

Teams are allowed to have 40 players on their roster, with 26 of them active on the major league roster. Over the course of the season, teams make roster moves, which sometimes involves cutting a player. In order to take someone off the 40-man roster, they must be designated for assignment.

MLB.com explains the process: "When a player's contract is designated for assignment — often abbreviated "DFA" — that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers."

Can another team claim a DFA'd player?

Yes, any team can pick up a player off waivers. However, if that team claims the player, they would have to add the player to their 40-man roster.

More baseball fun facts

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• What was the longest baseball game?
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Force out: What happens to players who are designated for assignment?

This has been a big year for one of baseball's most mundane transactions.

From Hanley Ramirez to Matt Harvey, from Phil Hughes to Melky Cabrera, from Adrian Gonzalez to Pedro Alvarez, there may never have been a season with more big names listed in the depths of the newspaper agate pages under those three cruel words: Designated for assignment.

When a team decides to DFA a player, he's taken off the 40-man roster immediately, and the team has seven days - a change this season, as previously it was 10 days - to trade him, send him outright to the minor leagues after he clears waivers, or release him. That is what happens from an official standpoint, but it's easy to forget that there is an actual person whose life is turned upside down when the DFA comes.

Imagine being a professional baseball player, but all of a sudden you have nowhere to play baseball. What do you do?

"It's a complete case-by-case basis," said Angels outfielder Chris Young, who was DFA'd by the Mets in August of 2014, then released before signing with the Yankees and rejuvenating his career.

"I went home, continued to work out and hit, and then I got the phone call from the Yankees. You don't know anything. I didn't know anything. I was just hopeful that another opportunity would come my way, and when it did, try to take advantage of it."

Young makes it sound fairly simple, but just going home and working out to stay in game shape is a challenge. If and when another team comes calling, the opportunity to make an impression can be fleeting.

The best way to prepare for that would be to head to the organization's minor league facility, hit the gym, and get some reps on the field with minor leaguers. When a player is designated for assignment, though, that is not an option - even if the team's plan is for an outright assignment to the minors. During that week, the player is not part of the team, but also not free.

"You're in limbo," said former Cubs infielder Jeff Huson, now a Rockies broadcaster, remembering when he was designated for assignment in 1996 by the Orioles . "You either go home, or you stay in the city for a few days. In my case, I waited around for a few days because I got DFA'd by Baltimore, and I stayed there because I didn't want to go home, because what if it's an East Coast team that claims me? Then I'd have to go all the way back.

"You literally sit there not knowing what your future's gonna hold. It's the worst possible case for a player, because you have no home, and you're trying to stay in shape - where do you go? You maybe go to a high school field? Play some video games and the quarters you have left over, go in the cage? Think about playing in a major-league game, then going to some warehouse and hitting off a machine, or even if you can find somebody to throw to you, they're not going to be as good as what you get in the major leagues.”

At the same time that physical challenge is foisted upon a player, there's also the mental one. It's not just the potential ennui of being without a team, but of having been cut from a 40-man roster. How a player handles that can have a lot to do with what happens next, and seizing that opportunity.

"I never took it as anything bad or looked too far into it when all I could do was just keep working on stuff," said Yankees reliever A.J. Cole, who had a 13.06 ERA when the Nationals designated him for assignment in April, and has posted a 0.69 mark in seven appearances with New York since a trade for cash considerations. "I needed to keep doing what I need to do as a pitcher.

"Everyone says it's always good to get a good start in a different place, and sometimes it is. Right now, it's really helping me, and there's some great guys here that help me out. It's a fun place to play here."

Not every player gets to land with a team as good as this year's Yankees, but there can be positives in other ways. Cubs catcher Chris Gimenez has been DFA'd four times in his career, thrice during the season. His experiences have varied from heading to the minors - "once you decide to accept the assignment, you're champing at the bit to get there" - to being traded to a Cleveland team in 2016 that wound up going to the World Series.

That was Gimenez's third time with Cleveland, having made his debut there in 2009, with stops in Seattle , Tampa Bay , and Texas before returning to Ohio in 2014.

"That was the one that kind of sticks with me," Gimenez said. "In that case, it worked out good, because my wife was basically ready to have our second son. We had two times where we went into the hospital and nothing happened, and that kind of gave me an extra three days. The terrible thing was, we were building our house where we live now, so we were staying with her parents, and our 3-year-old son, at the time, was there. It was a little bit of a crowded spot, and I appreciate her parents letting us stay there, because it wasn't the original plan the way everything happened.

"I ended up spending six days at home - three on the paternity leave, and three after I (was designated for assignment). Then I got the next flight to Texas, and ended up coming home like four days after that anyway - I got traded, was there for a day, then my wife had our son. It was a lot of travel for a few days, but that's alright.

"Every possible way that could've happened to me, it's happened in my career, but that's how it goes, and you can either let it affect you, or just suck it up and go about your business."

Jesse Spector is the sports business columnist for Dealbreaker, a columnist for Rockies Magazine, the host of "Jesse Spector Is..." on Lightning Power Play Radio, and one of the hosts of the Locked On Yankees podcast. He previously was the national baseball and hockey writer for Sporting News, covered the New York Rangers for the Daily News, and worked for SportsTicker, the Associated Press, and the Brooklyn Eagle. He lives in New York.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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The Designated for Assignment (DFA) Process in Major League Baseball: Implications, Procedures, and Examples

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What does it mean to be designated for assignment?

To be designated for assignment in baseball means that a player has been removed from his team’s 40-man roster. This move is typically made when a team wants to make room for another player, or if the player’s performance has been disappointing or if he has become injured. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has 7 days to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. During this time, other teams have the opportunity to claim the player off waivers and assume his contract. If the player clears waivers, he can be assigned to the team’s minor league system or remain on the 40-man roster. Being designated for assignment can be a difficult and uncertain time for a player, as it often means he is at risk of losing his spot on the team and potentially even his career.

Why do teams designate players for assignment?

Teams designate players for assignment for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is to clear a roster spot for another player, either from their own minor league system or via a trade or free agent signing. Another reason could be due to a player’s poor performance, as a team may want to remove them from the active roster and give another player a chance to contribute. In some cases, a player may be designated for assignment if they become injured and the team needs to free up a roster spot for a healthy player. Finally, a team may designate a player for assignment if they are looking to trade the player and want to remove them from the active roster while negotiations are taking place. Regardless of the reason, being designated for assignment can be a difficult and uncertain time for a player, as their future with the team and in baseball is put into question.

What happens to a player who is designated for assignment?

When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the team’s active roster and placed on the 40-man roster’s “designated for assignment” list. The team then has 7 days to make a decision on the player’s future. During this time, the team can trade the player, release him, or place him on waivers. If the player clears waivers, the team can choose to assign him to their minor league system or keep him on the 40-man roster. If another team claims the player off waivers, they assume the player’s contract and roster spot.

For the player who has been designated for assignment, this can be a stressful and uncertain time, as their future with the team and in baseball is up in the air. They may be traded to another team, released and become a free agent, or sent to the minors, where they will need to work their way back up to the majors. The DFA process can have a significant impact on a player’s career and earning potential, as well as their confidence and morale.

The difference between designated for assignment and outright assignment While the terms “designated for assignment” (DFA) and “outright assignment” may seem similar, there is a key difference between the two. DFA is the process by which a player is removed from his team’s 40-man roster and given a 7-day window for the team to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. If the player is not claimed off waivers, he can be assigned to the minor leagues or kept on the 40-man roster. On the other hand, outright assignment is the process by which a player is removed from both the 25-man and 40-man rosters and sent directly to the minor leagues. There is no 7-day window for a team to make a decision, and the player does not need to clear waivers. In other words, DFA is a more flexible process that allows the team to potentially retain the player or trade him, while outright assignment is a more direct demotion to the minor leagues. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the differences between the two. The impact of designated for assignment on a player’s career and future opportunities Being designated for assignment can have a significant impact on a player’s career and future opportunities. If a player is claimed off waivers by another team, he may be given a fresh start and the opportunity to contribute at the major league level. However, if the player clears waivers and is sent to the minors, his future in baseball may be uncertain. DFA can also have financial implications for both the player and the team. If the player is released, he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team, but may not receive the same salary he had with his previous team. Additionally, if a team is unable to trade a player who has been designated for assignment, they may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary. The DFA process can be emotionally challenging for players, as it can be difficult to see their careers and livelihoods put into question. However, some players have been able to bounce back from DFA and use the experience as motivation to improve and succeed at the major league level. Examples of notable players who have been designated for assignment Throughout baseball history, many notable players have been designated for assignment at some point in their careers. One example is David Ortiz, who was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins in 2002 before being released and signing with the Boston Red Sox, where he went on to become one of the greatest designated hitters of all time. Another example is Jose Bautista, who was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004 before being picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays and transforming into a two-time MLB home run champion. More recently, Albert Pujols, a three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 before being picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. These players’ experiences illustrate that being designated for assignment does not necessarily mean the end of a player’s career, and that they can use the experience as motivation to succeed in the future. The role of waivers in the designated for assignment process Waivers play a crucial role in the DFA process. When a player is designated for assignment, he must be placed on waivers before he can be traded or outright released. Waivers give other teams in the league the opportunity to claim the player and assume his contract and roster spot. The waiver process is designed to promote competitive balance in the league by giving all teams an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment, regardless of their place in the standings. However, the process can also be complex and unpredictable, as teams must weigh the potential benefits of claiming a player against the risks and costs associated with doing so. Waivers can be an especially important factor in the DFA process for players with larger contracts or for teams with limited payroll flexibility. In these cases, a player who clears waivers and is outright released may be more likely to be picked up by another team, as they would not be responsible for assuming the player’s full contract. How a player can appeal a DFA decision While it is rare for a player to successfully appeal a DFA decision, there are a few situations in which a player may have grounds for an appeal. For example, if a team designates a player for assignment due to an injury that was not disclosed or properly diagnosed, the player may be able to appeal the decision and potentially be reinstated on the team’s active roster. In order to appeal a DFA decision, the player must file a grievance with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) within 45 days of the transaction. The appeal will then be heard by an independent arbitrator, who will review the evidence presented by both the player and the team before making a final decision. While the appeal process can be time-consuming and expensive, it can provide a player with an opportunity to challenge a DFA decision and potentially continue his career at the major league level. The potential financial implications of designated for assignment for both players and teams Designating a player for assignment can have significant financial implications for both the player and the team. If the player is claimed off waivers, the team may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary or may be relieved of the obligation entirely. If the player clears waivers and is outright released, the team may still be responsible for paying the remainder of the player’s contract, depending on the terms of the agreement. For the player, being designated for assignment can have long-term financial implications as well. If the player is released and becomes a free agent, he may struggle to find a team willing to offer him a similar contract. Additionally, if the player is sent to the minors, he may be paid a lower salary than he was making at the major league level. Overall, the financial impact of DFA can be significant and is an important factor for both players and teams to consider when making decisions about roster moves. The designated for assignment process in relation to the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement The DFA process is governed by the Major League Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which outlines the rights and responsibilities of players and teams in relation to roster moves. The CBA includes provisions related to waivers, including the waiver claim process, which gives all teams in the league an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment. The CBA also sets forth procedures for players to file grievances and challenge roster decisions, including DFA decisions, through the MLBPA. The CBA also sets minimum salary and service time requirements for players, which can impact a team’s decision to designate a player for assignment or keep him on the roster. Additionally, the CBA includes provisions related to arbitration, which can be used to resolve disputes between players and teams regarding contracts, salaries, and roster decisions. Overall, the DFA process is an important aspect of the MLB CBA, which governs many aspects of player contracts, salaries, and roster moves. Conclusion Being designated for assignment is a significant event in a player’s career that can have long-lasting implications. While the designated for assignment process is designed to give teams flexibility in managing their rosters, it can also be challenging for players who may be faced with uncertainty about their future. Waivers and financial considerations can also play important roles in the DFA process, and the procedures outlined in the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement provide a framework for resolving disputes and ensuring fair treatment of players. Ultimately, the DFA process is an important aspect of the MLB landscape that requires careful consideration by teams and players alike. FAQs

1. what happens to a player who is designated for assignment.

A player who is designated for assignment is removed from his team’s 40-man roster and can be placed on waivers or outright released. If the player is not claimed by another team within the designated time frame, he can be sent to the minor leagues or become a free agent.

2. What is the difference between DFA and outright assignment?

DFA refers to the process of designating a player for assignment and placing him on waivers, while outright assignment refers to the process of removing a player from the 40-man roster and sending him to the minor leagues without passing through waivers.

3. How can a player appeal a DFA decision?

days of the transaction, and an independent arbitrator will review the evidence before making a final decision.

4. What are the financial implications of DFA for players and teams?

DFA can have significant financial implications for both players and teams. Teams may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary or may be relieved of the obligation entirely if the player is claimed off waivers. For the player, being designated for assignment can impact his salary and long-term earning potential.

5. What is the role of waivers in the DFA process?

Waivers are used to give all teams in the league an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment. If the player is claimed, the team claiming him assumes the responsibility for his contract. If the player clears waivers, he can be outright released or sent to the minor leagues.

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Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

In Major League Baseball, team rosters and player contracts are subject to constant change. One particular term that holds significant importance in this regard is “designate for assignment” (DFA).Understanding the DFA process and its implications on a player’s career is essential for anyone looking to learn more about the intricacies of Major League Baseball.

When a player’s contract is designated for assignment, he is removed from his team’s 40-man roster immediately. This action triggers a seven-day window within which the team must either trade the player or place him on irrevocable outright waivers.

The primary objective of the DFA process is to create flexibility for teams to manage their rosters while allowing them the opportunity to keep or release players based on performance or strategic considerations.

In general, a player that has been designated for assignment may find his career trajectory altered, as he could either end up being traded to another team, outrighted to a minor league team, or released from his contract entirely. As such, the DFA process plays a vital role in shaping the dynamics of professional baseball, impacting both teams and players alike.

Designate for Assignment Definition

Reasons for designating a player, waiver period, player outcomes, roster management, trade opportunities, notable dfa examples.

Designate for Assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB) when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster.

This action allows the team to make room for a new player or provide flexibility in managing its roster. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to decide the player’s fate, which could include trading, releasing, or outrighting the player to the minor leagues, among other options.

In addition to being removed from the 40-man roster, the player is also taken off the team’s active roster, meaning they cannot participate in any games during the seven-day period. The designated player’s contract remains in force, and they continue to receive their salary and benefits during this time.

To facilitate the player’s potential move to another team or the minor leagues, the player can be placed on waivers for a specified period. Waivers provide other MLB teams with the opportunity to claim the player and assume their contract. If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the weakest record in the player’s league is given priority. If the player is not claimed by any team during the waiver period, they can then be outrighted to the minor leagues, traded, or released.

However, if the player has accrued a specific amount of Major League service time, they may have the right to refuse an outright assignment to the minor leagues, opting instead for free agency.

There are various reasons a baseball team might opt to designate a player for assignment (DFA). One common reason is to make room on the 40-man roster for another player. The move allows the team to immediately remove a player from their roster and provides them with some roster flexibility.

Another reason for designating a player is due to their performance. If a player is experiencing a significant slump or has consistently failed to meet the team’s expectations, the DFA process can be implemented as a method to allow the player to refocus, find their form, or make adjustments while they are in the minor leagues.

Injuries can also be a factor. When a player sustains a serious injury and is unable to contribute to the team, it may be necessary to designate them for assignment to open a roster spot for a healthy replacement. Similarly, when a player who was previously on the injured list is ready to return to the team, the organization may need to DFA another player to make room.

Lastly, financial considerations can come into play. In some cases, a team might designate a player for assignment due to their contract, such as when a high-priced player is underperforming and the team wishes to move on without having to pay that player’s remaining salary. This could make DFA an option for teams who are trying to reduce payroll while still retaining some control.

DFA Process

The process of Designated for Assignment (DFA) in baseball involves removing a player from a team’s 40-man roster. This step provides teams with flexibility in managing their player rosters and creates opportunities for the player in question to find a new role within another team.

When a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to determine the next course of action. During this period, the player can be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers, allowing other teams to claim the player (MLB.com) .

There are several possible outcomes for a player who has been designated for assignment:

• Returned to the 40-man roster: The team can choose to reverse the decision and return the player to the 40-man roster
• Trade: The player can be traded to another team during the waiver period, allowing both teams to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.
• Waivers: If the player is placed on waivers and claimed by another team, the new team takes responsibility for the player’s contract.
• Release: The player is released from the team, effectively making them a free agent and able to negotiate a new contract with any team.
• Outright to the Minor Leagues: If the player clears waivers, meaning no teams claim the player, they can be outrighted from the 40-man roster into Minor League Baseball, allowing the player to continue their career within the organization.

The DFA process creates flexibility for teams to adjust their rosters as needed, while providing players with the opportunity to find new roles within the league.

Strategies and Implications

Designating a player for assignment (DFA) is a useful roster management tool in baseball. When a player is designated for assignment , they are immediately removed from the team’s 40-man roster, but their rights are retained by the team. This allows the team to explore different options within a seven-day window, such as trading the player or placing them on irrevocable outright waivers.

Utilizing the DFA process can help teams manage their roster more effectively by providing flexibility in making decisions. Teams may choose to designate a player for assignment if they need to clear roster space for an incoming player or if they believe the player is no longer a suitable fit for the team’s strategy. This process also provides teams with the opportunity to find appropriate solutions for both the team and the player, minimizing the risk of losing the player without receiving any return value.

When a player is designated for assignment, there are trade opportunities that may benefit the team. The player can be traded to another team within the seven-day window, allowing the original team to potentially receive assets in return. This can include other players, cash considerations, or a combination of both.

Trading a designated player provides teams with the possibility of acquiring additional resources that may be more aligned with their strategic goals or fill specific needs on the roster. It serves as a last resort for the team to recoup some value from the player before potentially losing them via waivers.

In summary, the designated for assignment process in baseball offers valuable roster management and trade opportunities for teams. By strategically using this tool, teams can optimize their roster composition and take advantage of potential trade returns to build a competitive team.

Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, many players have been designated for assignment (DFA). While some DFA cases are unremarkable, others involve notable players or have led to interesting outcomes. Here are a few prominent examples:

One such case involved former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval who was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox in 2017. After experiencing a significant decline in performance and dealing with health issues, the Red Sox ultimately DFA’d Sandoval , eventually releasing him.

Another significant example is the 2018 DFA placement of four-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez by the New York Mets. The first baseman struggled in his time with the Mets and was consequently designated for assignment , eventually released and then retiring.

Former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum also experienced a notable DFA in 2016, when the Los Angeles Angels removed him from their 40-man roster due to poor performance. In this case, Lincecum cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A before ultimately electing free agency later that year.

In summary, these notable DFA examples showcase the unpredictability and challenges faced by professional baseball players. The designated for assignment process is a reminder that no player is immune to changes in performance, injuries, or other factors that may lead to their removal from a team’s 40-man roster.

Home » Why Do MLB Players Get Designated for Assignment (DFA)?

Why Do MLB Players Get Designated for Assignment (DFA)?

Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a term used in Major League Baseball (MLB) that refers to the process of a team removing a player from their 40-man roster. This is done for various reasons, such as to make room for new players, to demote a player to the minor leagues, or to cut ties with a player who is not performing. In this article, we’ll take a look at why MLB players get designated for assignment and some of the implications of the process.

The Role of Contracts in the DFA Process

One of the primary reasons players are designated for assignment is due to a team’s need to make room on their 40-man roster. Teams must maintain a 40-man roster of players who are eligible to play in the major leagues, so if a team wants to add a new player they must first remove an existing one. This is often done by designating a player for assignment.

Additionally, teams can use the DFA process to get out of a contract they no longer want. MLB contracts are guaranteed, meaning that teams are obligated to pay a player the full value of their contract even if they are released. However, if a player is designated for assignment, the team is only obligated to pay a portion of the remaining salary. This is one of the main reasons why teams will opt to designate a player for assignment instead of simply releasing them.

Implications of Being Designated for Assignment

When a player is designated for assignment, they are placed on waivers for a period of seven to ten days. During this time, any other team can claim the player and add them to their roster. If the player is not claimed, they are then sent outright to the minor leagues or released.

If a player is sent to the minor leagues, they have the option to refuse the assignment and become a free agent. This can be beneficial to the player since they can explore the market and find a team that is a better fit.

Another implication of being designated for assignment is that it can have a negative effect on a player’s reputation. Players that are released or sent to the minors often struggle to find another job in the MLB, as teams are wary of taking on a player with a history of being designated for assignment.

Reasons Why Players Get Designated for Assignment

There are a variety of reasons why teams may choose to designate a player for assignment. Here are some of the most common:

1. Performance

The most common reason a player is designated for assignment is due to their performance. If a team feels that a player is no longer meeting their expectations or is not progressing as they should, they may opt to move on and replace them with a different player.

If a player suffers an injury that will keep them out for an extended period of time, a team may opt to designate them for assignment in order to free up a roster spot. This is often done with the intention of re-signing the player once they have fully recovered from their injury.

Teams may also opt to designate a player for assignment in order to free up money for other players. This is often done with highly paid veterans who are nearing the end of their contracts and are no longer playing at an elite level.

4. Personal Reasons

In some cases, teams may designate a player for assignment due to personal reasons. This could be due to a player’s attitude or off-field behavior, or simply because the team is looking to move in a different direction.

Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a term used in Major League Baseball that refers to the process of a team removing a player from their 40-man roster. Teams use the DFA process for various reasons, such as to make room for new players, to demote a player to the minor leagues, or to cut ties with a player who is not performing. This article has explored why MLB players get designated for assignment and some of the implications of the process.

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What does designated for assignment mean in MLB? What to know about Madison Bumgarner

The Arizona Diamondbacks designated pitcher Madison Bumgarner for assignment on Thursday after his latest rough outing on Wednesday.

Bumgarner is 0-3 on the season with a 10.26 ERA in 16.2 innings over four starts. He has given up 25 hits and 19 earned runs, while walking 15 and striking out 10.

What's next for the pitcher and the Arizona Diamondbacks?

Here's a look at the designated for assignment process and what it means for Bumgarner and his MLB team.

What does designated for assignment (DFA) mean in baseball?

The MLB.com glossary explains the process as follows: "When a player's contract is designated for assignment — often abbreviated "DFA" — that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers."

What happens if the player is claimed off waivers by another team?

The glossary explains the process as follows: "If the player is claimed off said waivers by another club, he is immediately added to that team's 40-man roster, at which point he can be optioned to the Minor Leagues (if he has Minor League options remaining) or assigned to his new team's 26-man roster. If the player clears waivers, he may be sent outright to the Minor Leagues or released. Players with more than three years of Major League service time or who have been previously outrighted may reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency. Clubs may utilize this option to clear a spot on the 40-man roster — typically with the intention of adding a newly acquired player (via trade or free agency), a Minor Leaguer or a player being activated from the 60-day injured list."

What are the specifics of Madison Bumgarner's DFA?

The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro explained the specifics regarding the situation for Bumgarner and the Diamondbacks in his story detailing the pitcher being designated for assignment on Thursday.

He wrote: "Bumgarner is likely to be placed on waivers soon, if he hasn't been already, and would become a free agent once he clears. He could then sign with another team for a prorated portion of the league minimum ($720,000). He is not likely to be claimed or traded given the amount of money still owed to him by the Diamondbacks."

How much do the Diamondbacks owe Madison Bumgarner?

Bumgarner signed a 5-year, $85 million contract with the Diamondbacks in December of 2019. He is still owed $34 million through next season. In cutting ties with Bumgarner, the Diamondbacks are setting a new club record for dead money, exceeding the $22 million they ate when releasing right-hander Russ Ortiz during the 2006 season.

More on Madison Bumgarner and the Diamondbacks

Madison Bumgarner designated for assignment by Diamondbacks

Why the Diamondbacks did not call up Brandon Pfaadt to replace Madison Bumgarner

With sense of urgency, Diamondbacks move on from struggling Madison Bumgarner

Arizona Diamondbacks fans sound off: Madison Bumgarner must be removed from rotation

Reach Jeremy Cluff at  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter  @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What does DFA mean in baseball? What's next for Madison Bumgarner

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A Primer on Unconditional Release and Outright Assignment Waivers With TL;DR Bullet Summary

Don’t be afraid. The core points are accessible for everyone!

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In Part I of this series, I discussed the history of trade deadlines and set forth a primer on the new rules concerning the trade deadline that is now firm for the first time. In Part II, I outlined the types of waivers that have been eliminated and gave some examples of Cardinal players that were affected by the old rules. You can find Part I here , and Part II here . In this final installment, I will tell you everything you need to know about the only types of waivers remaining: unconditional release waivers and outright assignment waivers. I’m going to try to offer a little something in here for everybody. If you are deeply interested in this subject, I’ve tried to include enough here with specific examples that you can make this article your one-stop shop. It’s probably more than the average fan would want to know. For those of you who are worried your eyes might start to glaze over, I promise you that if you like, you can skip to my bullet point summary at the very end, and you will get the stuff that really matters without all the history, examples and more obscure minutiae. If you want just the facts, ma’am, the ending is perfect for you.

The waiver rules have been described in the past as unnecessarily convoluted, and when you consider all the different types that existed in the past, together with revocability and the games surrounding trade assignment waivers, it is hard to argue with that characterization. Even Pittsburgh Pirates ’ General Manager Larry Doughty, in his second year on the job in late August 1990 messed up the waiver rules and that was one of the reasons he was fired a year later, despite the Pirates winning back-to-back National League East titles. Not realizing that outright assignment waivers were irrevocable, he put two of the organization’s top prospects, outfielders Wes Chamberlain and Julio Peguero, on the waiver wire and they were claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies , forcing him to make an ill-advised trade to save face for declining veteran Carmelo Martinez.

With the elimination of trade assignment waivers beginning this season, however, the waiver rules are as simple as they have ever been. Let’s start with the basics.

What are waivers?

The Major League Rules define a waiver as “a permission granted for certain assignments of player contracts or for the unconditional release of a major league player.” That is tautological and unhelpful for someone who has no prior knowledge of the process. Perhaps a better way to think about it is that before a club may make certain transactions involving a player, it must first offer that player’s contract to all other clubs for a price. If no other clubs agree to take the player’s contract for that price, the player is said to have “cleared waivers,” and the requesting club may then make the transaction it wanted to make regarding that player.

Making waiver requests and waiver claims

The most important thing to remember is there is no such thing as revocable waivers anymore. Once the waiver request is made for either of the two types of waivers that remain in Major League Baseball, it may not be cancelled. In addition, once a club makes a claim, it may not cancel that claim. To put a player on waivers, the club must do so in writing or electronically. There is some sort of approved network that all clubs have access to that suffices for this purpose. To make a request, a club simply uses the network to notify the Commissioner’s Office that it is making a waiver request and what type of waivers the team wants to place the player on. Through that same network, the Commissioner’s Office notifies all clubs of the waiver request and what type of waivers is being sought.

Times to Request Waivers and Deadline to Make Claims

Requesting period and permissible days to file waiver requests.

The times to request waivers are divided into three different periods. Every day of the year is covered in one of the blocks, which you can call the requesting period. They are not overly important for the fan following transactions, but they make a difference to teams in two areas. First, the requesting periods determine what day of the week is a permissible day to request waivers, and once a waiver request is made, they determine how long a team has to make put a claim in. Both sets of procedural rules apply equally to unconditional release waivers and outright assignment waivers.

• Spring Training/In-Season: This period runs from the Spring Training Voluntary Report Date (which under the Collective Bargaining Agreement can be no earlier than 43 days before the start of the regular season) until the end of the regular season, with a 4-day exception that constitutes the next period. Basically, you’re talking about the middle of February until the end of September, except for the short carve-out in the next period below.
• End-of Spring Training Period: This period is a special period carved out from the first period that only lasts for 4 days and ends with the day on which the first regular season game is played, unless the first game is played on a Wednesday, in which case the period is 5 days instead of 4 days. This season that would have been March 25th through March 28th.
• Off-Season Period: This period runs from the day after the regular season to the day before the Spring Training Voluntary Report Date.

For the Spring Training/In-Season requesting period, a club may make a waiver request on any day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. For the other two periods, requests are not accepted on those days. For those two periods, any notices received after 2:00 p.m. EST on Friday are treated as if they were filed on Monday morning. Anything filed on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays are deemed to be filed on the morning of the next business day.

Claiming Period

The deadline to make a waiver claim is usually 47 hours. If a waiver request is made by 2:00 p.m. EST on Monday, teams must file a waiver claim by 1:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, and so on. The difference comes when teams make a waiver request on Thursday through Saturday. For the latter two requesting periods in the list above, waiver requests may not be made on Saturdays and Sundays and the Commissioner’s Office is considered to be closed. For those two periods, if a waiver request is made on Thursday by 2:00 p.m. EST, teams have until 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday to make a claim. If the request is made on Friday by 2:00 p.m. EST, teams have until 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday to make a claim. But for the first period in the bullet list above, the regular 47 hour rule applies. Clubs in that period can make waiver requests on Saturdays and Sundays and teams must actually file claims on Saturdays and Sundays to meet the deadline.

Priority of Claims

If no claims are made on a request, the player is said to have “cleared waivers,” and the requesting club may make the transaction it wants to make with the player. If only one club makes a claim, that club obviously gets the player. But what are the rules if multiple teams claim the player? Long ago, Major League Baseball tried everything from a first-come, first-served system to drawing lots. But there has been a settled system for almost 100 years now.

If there are multiple claims, the club with the lowest winning percentage among the claiming clubs wins, without regard to league. The twist to this is that if the date that the time to claim the player expires is within the first 30 days of the regular season or in the off-season, you look to the prior season’s standings. At all other times, you look to the standings of the current season on the date that’s prior to the date of the expiration of the claiming period.

What if two or more clubs have made a claim and they’re all tied for the lowest winning percentage? In that case, first priority goes to the club in the same league as the club making the waiver request. If that doesn’t resolve the tie (meaning the tied clubs are in the same league as each other), you go back to the prior season’s winning percentage without regard to postseason results, and you keep going back to prior seasons until the tie is broken.

Application of the Rules

To show an example of how this plays out, let’s take the most recent example of LHP Adalberto Mejia , whom the Cards were just awarded on an outright assignment waiver claim from the Los Angeles Angels on July 30th. In this example, I am going to make a couple of assumptions, that I can’t prove to be true. The waiver process is actually supposed to be confidential. The only thing that is supposed to be publicly known is that a team was awarded a claim on a certain date or that a player cleared waivers and that the requesting club then took the action it wanted to take. But I think these assumptions are fair, and they will allow us to see the tie-breaking rules at work as well.

Mejia was awarded to the Cardinals on July 30th in the afternoon. July 30th was a Tuesday, and we’re in the period of time where teams can make waiver requests on a Sunday because it’s during the regular season. So let’s assume that the Angels made the waiver request for Mejia by 2:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 28th. That would mean that waiver claims on Mejia were due by Tuesday July 30th by 1:00 p.m. EST. If the Cardinals were the only team that claimed him, then Mejia would obviously just have been awarded to the Cards.

But let’s assume that multiple teams put in a claim. Because we’re past the 30th day of this regular season, the rule requires us to examine the current season’s standings at the end of July 29th, the day before the claiming period expired. At the end of that day, the Cards were tied with the Cubs for the 11th best record in baseball, but in the National League, only the Dodgers , Braves and Nationals were ahead. That means, at a minimum 10 clubs had no chance to beat the Cards for Mejia, 3 National League clubs and 7 American League Clubs. If we exclude the Cubs and the Cards, that leaves 18 teams that that had a worse record, and all passed on Mejia. That means that 10 out of 15 National League clubs passed on him, as well as 8 out of 15 American League clubs. If any one of those other clubs had put in a claim, they would have had priority over the Cards and would have been awarded the claim instead. If we assume that the Cubs passed as well, that would mean 19 total teams passed, including 11 out of 15 National League clubs.

Now suppose that the Cubs had put in a claim on Mejia. Because the Cards and Cubs had the same winning percentage at the target date, we would break the tie by going back to last season’s regular season results, where the Cubs had a better winning percentage (.583 to to .543). If it would have mattered, the Cubs’ 163rd game of the season that they had to play last year would have counted as part of the regular season. Since the Cards had a lower winning percentage last year, they would have had priority for Mejia over the Cubs.

THE TWO REMAINING WAIVER TYPES

Unconditional release waivers.

The purpose of unconditional release waivers is simply like it sounds. Contrary to popular belief, if a club wants to release a player on its 40-man roster (waivers are not required to release non-40-man roster players), it can’t do so without putting him on unconditional release waivers. The papers would often call this by its longer name and say that a club placed a player on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. This process had its origin in a long-standing rule long ago that required clubs to give players 10 days’ notice prior to being released.

There are certain features of unconditional release waivers that made them unique, which I will discuss below

Placing a Player on Unconditional Release Waivers Removes Him from All Rosters

On the date of the waiver request, the club must notify the player that the club intends to release the player. When the Commissioner’s Office receives the waiver request, the player is immediately removed from all player limits. Thus, merely placing a player on unconditional release waivers removes that player from the 40-man roster immediately, as well as the 25-man roster if the player is on it. The player does not need to clear waivers to be removed from the rosters.

Waiver Price

One of the defining characteristics of unconditional release waivers for over 70 years is that the waiver price is only $1. Originally lumped in with the other types of waivers, the unconditional release waiver price was reduced to $1 in 1947 to try to make it easier for players to stay employed. The normal waiver price for other types of waivers back then was $7,500. Teams were reluctant, especially for seasoned veterans, to assume both the contract and the waiver price. This change made it easier for players to get signed and continue their careers.

Player’s Right to Reject the Waiver Claim

When the waiver price was reduced to $1 in 1947, players were also given additional rights that they did not have with other waiver types. These rules persist to this day. A player has the right to be notified if a club claimed him on unconditional release waivers. Upon receiving notice of the claim the player has 5 days to provide written notice to the club requesting waivers that he is terminating his contract effective on the date of the notice. If the player does not provide the notice within the 5 days, the claiming club is awarded the waiver claim. If a player provides the notice, his contract is terminated, he becomes a free agent, does not have to play for the claiming club, and is free to negotiate whatever deal with whatever club he pleases.

Salary Obligations

If there are no waiver claims, the player’s contract is terminated, he becomes a free agent and the club requesting waivers is responsible for paying the rest of the money owed under the contract.

If the player is claimed and he rejects the claim by providing the proper notice within the 5 days, his contact is terminated and he does not have to play for the claiming club. The club that put him on waivers is only responsible for his salary through the date he provided notice and not thereafter. He is then a free agent and free to negotiate with any club.

If he is claimed and does not provide notice within the 5 days, the claiming club is responsible for the rest of his contract that accrues after the date the claiming team is notified that it was assigned the contract.

Restrictions on Unconditional Release Waiver Requests

A club may not release a player on the Military or Ineligible Lists, unless the player is reinstated first. A club may not release a player on the Voluntary Retired List without the Commissioner’s prior permission.

Restrictions on Re-signing a Released Player

Not that this occurs with any regularity, but If a club releases a player, that club can’t put that player back on its 25-man roster for 30-days from the date of the waiver request, unless during the whole 30 day period the club had less than 25 players on the active roster during the entire time from the date of the waiver request through the date of the re-signing.

If a club releases a player between midnight August 31st and opening day of the next regular season, the club may not re-sign that player to a major league deal (i.e.-deal that places him on the 40-man roster) until May 15th of the next season, unless the player has signed a major league contract with another club in the interim.

Practical Application Today

Although the waiver price is only $1, players are rarely claimed on unconditional release waivers these days. If a team claims a player for the $1 waiver price and the player does not reject the claim, the claiming club has to pay the rest of the contract, regardless of its length. In the overwhelming majority of cases where players are placed on unconditional release waivers, they clear waivers, are actually released, immediately become free agents, and then negotiate a new deal with whoever wants to talk. Their original club that placed them on waivers still has to pay their contract. When they sign a new deal with a new club, it’s almost always for the pro-rated minimum major league salary for the rest of that season, and that is deducted from the balance of what the requesting club owes.

The last Cardinal player I can remember that was actually claimed on unconditional release waivers by another team was Felipe Lopez . The Cards placed him on unconditional release waivers in very late September of 2010 basically because of excessive tardiness. There were only 13 games left in the season at the time. His contract was a 1-year deal for $1 million, and the San Diego Padres actually filed a waiver claim because they were in a pennant race and thought Lopez could help them. Lopez rejected the waiver claim because he wouldn’t be eligible for the Padres’ post-season roster (with him not being in the organization by August 31st). He then signed a separate deal with the Boston Red Sox , who had 9 games remaining in the season, and actually played in 4 games for that club before the season ended. In Lopez’s situation the Cards were on the hook for his salary until he gave notice to the Cards that he was rejecting the Padres’ waiver claim. After that, Lopez was on his own.

Outright Assignment Waivers

An outright assignment is an assignment of a player to the minor leagues without a right of recall. An optional assignment, or option for short, carries with it the right of the club to recall that player to the 25-man active roster from the minor leagues. The outright assignment, or outright, does not. I will cover options in another article, but for now it will suffice to say that the overwhelming majority of players have what are known as 3 option years (some have a 4th option year in very rare cases). Once the player is added to the 40-man roster, the club then has 3 years within which to send him down to the minors and back up as much as it wants within the rules. Once those option years are exhausted, the player is said to be “out of options,” and if the club wants to send the player to the minors after that, it must attempt to make an outright assignment. An outright assignment takes the player off of the 40-man roster and places him on the reserve list (reserve list is the fancy name for the 40-man roster in MLB and similar rosters for the minors) of the minor league team. A club might also attempt to outright a player to clear space on the 40-man roster even if the player is not out of options. The last situation is if a Club has drafted a player in the Rule 5 draft that it does not want to maintain on its 25-man roster all season. Before a club can send a Rule 5 draftee to the minor leagues, it must first place the player on outright assignment waivers, have the player clear waivers, and then offer him back to his original club for half the Rule 5 draft price.

But before the club may actually outright the player and place him on a minor league reserve list, it must first put the player on outright assignment waivers.

Placement on Outright Assignment Waivers Does Not Remove the Player from Rosters

This is one critical difference between the two types of waivers. Merely placing a player on unconditional release waivers removes the player from all rosters. With respect to outright assignment waivers, however, the player must be placed on outright assignment waivers and clear waivers, and actually be outrighted before the player is removed from either the 40-man roster, 25-man roster or both. This is one of the main reasons why the designated for assignment rule (or DFA) exists, which I will cover at the end of this article.

Restrictions on the Placement of Players on Outright Assignment Waivers

• A club may not place a player that it has selected in the Rule 5 draft on outright assignment waivers from the date of the Rule 5 selection through 25 days prior to opening day of the next regular season.
• The next restriction applies to a class of players called Rule 6(e) “draft excluded players.” This type of player is one who has less than 3 years of major league service time, who was eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft and whom the club had, after the August 15th before the draft at which he could have been taken, placed on the Club’s 40-man roster and that player then stayed there through the draft. An example would be Memphis OF Randy Arozarena. He will be eligible for the December 2019 Rule 5 draft if the Cards don’t add him to the 40-man roster at the proper time. If the Cards add Arozarena to the 40-man roster after August 15th of this year and before the December Rule 5 draft, and he stays on it through the draft, the Cards will not be able to place him on outright assignment waivers from the period that starts 5 days after the last day of the World Series through 25 days prior to opening day.
• A club can’t place a player on the injured list on outright assignment waivers, unless the player has spent the minimum amount of time required on the injured list AND the club guarantees the player has recovered from his injury and is capable of performing at his accustomed level.
• A club can’t place a player on one of the other inactive lists on outright assignment waivers like the Military List, Paternity List, Suspended List, etc. The player must be reinstated from those lists before he can be placed on outright assignment waivers
• From the Spring Training Voluntary Report Date through the end of the regular season, if a club claims a player on outright assignment waivers, it can’t place that same player back on outright assignment waivers within 48 hours of the time that club was awarded the player or until the player has spent 1 day on that club’s 25-man roster, whichever comes first. During all other times, a club can’t place a player it acquired on outright assignment waivers back on outright assignment waivers for 7 days.

Price of Outright Assignment Waiver Claims

Basically the price if a club is awarded a player on outright assignment waivers is $50,000. For Rule 5 draftees and Rule 6(e) “draft-excluded players” the price is defined as half the Rule 5 draft price. The Rule 5 draft price is currently $100,000, so claiming such players costs $50,000 also. The reason the price is defined differently is that the rule is written in such a way to increase the waiver price if the Rule 5 draft price changes.

Prohibited Transactions During a Pending Outright Assignment Waiver Request

The requesting club is prohibited from doing several things with the player while an outright assignment waiver request is pending:

• It can’t actually outright the player until the player clears waivers
• It may not send the player on an injury rehab assignment to the minor leagues. It can transfer an existing rehab assignment to another minor league affiliate.
• It may not trade the player
• The club can actually request unconditional release waivers on a player for whom it has already requested outright assignment waivers. In that case, the unconditional release waiver request trumps the other request and the situation proceeds as if it was an unconditional release request.

Restrictions on Actually Outrighting a Player that has Cleared Waivers

• Even if such a player clears waivers, a club can not outright a player to the minors who has 5 years or more of major league service without that player’s consent. This is not the same thing as the right a player has to declare free agency upon an attempted outright. A 5-year man can declare free agency if he wants if a club tries to outright him, but he can also refuse the outright assignment without declaring free agency. Essentially, he can force the club to keep him, trade him, or release him, but in all instances he gets his salary paid. 3-year players, Super Two Players and players that have been outrighted previously in their careers can’t technically refuse the outright assignment. They must declare free agency, and in that case their contract gets terminated, with the club making the attempted outright no longer responsible for any remaining salary, and the player not being entitled to termination pay. The mechanics of all of that are beyond the scope of this article.
• A player may not be outrighted to the minor leagues during the period from 5:00 EST of the 3rd day prior to the start of the Rule 5 draft until the draft is over.
• A player still on a major league injured list may not be outrighted to the minor leagues.
• There are special rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding outrighting a player that is injured and not able to play, and they cover outrights in the offseason. Such a player can be outrighted during the period immediately following the season and before November 20th (the date to file 40-man rosters) if the player’s major league contract does not cover the next season. Such a player may also be outrighted between November 20th and up until the 15th day prior to the start of the next regular season but only if (1) the player has less than 3 years of major league service; (2) the player has not been outrighted before; (3) the player had no major league service the prior season; and (4) the player was not selected in the previous Rule 5 draft. It is because of this latter provision that the Cardinals could not outright Justin Williams when he injured himself in December 2018 by punching a televsion set. He had exactly one day of major league service in July of 2018.
• Rule 5 draftees and Rule 6(e) draft-excluded players, even if they clear waivers, may not be outrighted until 20 days prior to opening day.
• If a potential minor league free agent has not signed a major league contract for the next season OR has not signed a letter of agreement with the club describing the terms of a major league contract for the next season, then that player may not be outrighted on or after 5:00 EST on October 15th or on the 5th day following the last day of the World Series, whichever is later.

How Long are Outright Assignment Waivers Good For?

To ask the question another way, once a player has cleared outright assignment waivers, how long does the club actually have to outright him before it has to go through the process all over again? The answer to that depends on when during the year the club is notified that the player clears, i.e. when the claiming period expires.

• If waivers are secured between September 1st and the 30th day of the next regular season, they are good for 7 days or until the 30th day of the season, whichever comes first.
• If waivers are secured on and after the 31st day of the regular season and before the Trade Deadline (4:00 EST July 31st), they are good until 1 hour before the trade deadline.
• If waivers are secured after the Trade Deadline, they are good until midnight on August 31st
• Regardless of the above, if the player the club wants to outright is on optional assignment to the minors at the time, the waivers are only good for 72 hours after the expiration of the waiver claiming period
• If waivers are secured on a player on the injured list who has spent the minimum time required on the list and whom the club guarantees has recovered from his injury and is capable of performing at his accustomed level, the club must outright that player within 72 hours if it doesn’t restore him to the 25-man roster.

A Couple of Last Features that Apply to Both Types of Waivers

Restrictions on number of requests.

The old rule that was passed in 1947 that limited clubs to placing 7 players per day on waivers is still in effect now. A rule designed to make the trade assignment waiver process less chaotic, it is basically obsolete now, as it is hard to imagine that a front office staff would place 7 players on irrevocable waivers in one day.

Effects of Awarded Claims on Player Limits

The important thing to understand here is that if a club wants to claim a player on either type of waivers, it must find a 40-man roster spot to give that player. If the player is either out of options, or has more than 5 years of major league service and can’t be sent to the minors without his consent, the club also has to find a spot on the 25-man roster for the player. If the claimed player has minor league options remaining, the club can claim that player and immediately option him to the minors no problem. But the club still has to find a 40-man roster spot for that player in that case.

So what if the club has a full 40-man roster at the time it makes a waiver claim, and at the time it is awarded a player on a waiver claim? The Rules still allow the club to make the claim in the first place and ultimately be awarded the player, but they require the club to open up a 40-man roster spot. One way to do that is to either just place a player on the 60-day IL or transfer a player from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. This works because players on the 60-day IL are not on the 40-man roster. In fact, the Cardinals just did this on July 31st when they were awarded Adalberto Mejia on an outright assignment waiver claim. Mejia was out of options, so the Cards had to find both a 40-man spot and a 25-man spot for him. They optioned Daniel Ponce de Leon to create the 25-man spot. To clear a 40-man spot, they transferred Jedd Gyorko from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL.

If a 60-day IL move is not available to the club, however, the claiming club only has one more choice. The Rules state that the club must “give notice of its intention to release or assign the contract of a player in accordance with Rule 2(k) (Designated Players). The club must designate a player for assignment, and this is the famous DFA rule.

Everyone knows about the DFA, even if they don’t know what it really means. People believe that a club has to DFA a player to get rid of the player, and if they want the player gone, they shout “DFA this guy” on Twitter and message boards. Rule 2(k), the designated player rule, is poorly worded and really should be re-written to reflect more modern conditions. The rule makes it sounds like you have to use the DFA procedure if the roster is full, but you do not, it’s optional. Basically what the rule does is to buy the club time and immediately clear a spot in the process. And it’s the fastest and safest way.

Suppose a club needs a 40-man roster spot or 25-man roster spot immediately. It has identified the player it wants to remove. But it isn’t sure what procedural move it wants to make with that player. Maybe it wants to try to work out a trade for the player. Maybe it wants to send the identified player to the minors, the player is out of options and it wants to outright the player to the minors. It’s not sure. Or suppose the club knows exactly what it wants to do with the player, but following that procedure would take too long and would not clear the roster spot in the time the club needs it. Rule 2(k) allows the club to notify the Commissioner’s Office that it is “designating the player for assignment.” When that is done, the designated player is removed from the 40-man roster immediately and the 25-man roster if he is on it. The club then has 7 days (time between Christmas and New Year’s Day inclusive doesn’t count towards the 7 days) to make the appropriate disposition of the player.

Let’s take the most recent example of Mike Mayers , who the Cardinals designated for assignment on August 4th. The Cardinals wanted to recall Ryan Helsley from AAA Memphis, and Mayers was the player they wanted to remove from the 25-man roster to make room. If Mayers had options left, they could simply have optioned him. But he did not. They had no intention of releasing him. But the only way to send Mayers to the minors was by outright assignment, and that required placing Mayers on outright assignment waivers. But placing Mayers on outright assignment waivers doesn’t remove him from any player limits. Only when Mayers clears waivers and is then officially outrighted is he removed from the rosters. It takes 47 hours for a player to clear if the claim is timely filed. But the Cards didn’t have time for that. They needed Helsley available for the August 4th game. The DFA rule allowed the Cards to designate Mayers for assignment, removing him from both the 25-man and 40-man rosters, which cleared the roster spot immediately for Helsley. The Cards were not necessarily trying to clear a 40-man roster spot, but that was the byproduct. The Cards will likely place Mayers on outright assignment waivers, and as long as they do so early enough to allow another team to claim him or outright him themselves within 7 days, the Cards complied with the rules.

When the 40-man roster is full, the Cards will DFA a player they perfectly intend on actually releasing. The Cards did that with Luke Gregerson and Greg Holland. If a club knows it wants to release a player to clear roster space, why don’t clubs just release the player instead of using the DFA? As we saw above, placing a player on unconditional release waivers removes the player from all rosters, and the club does not have to wait for that person to clear waivers to get them off the rosters. The answer is the rule on the timing of filing waiver requests. The request, to be considered timely filed, must be filed by 2:00 p.m. EST on any given day. If the club needs the roster spot after that time of day, the DFA is the club’s only option. The DFA saves the club from being late or making a mistake because the DFA is simply filed on the normal transaction wire just like optioning a player, and has no time restriction. For that reason, you will typically see a release without a DFA only in the off-season in situations where time is not of the essence.

In any event, when a club is awarded a waiver claim, its 40-man roster is full and it doesn’t have a 60-day IL move to make to clear a spot, the DFA clears the spot.

TL;DR: MOST IMPORTANT POINTS FOR THE CASUAL FAN!

• The only types of waivers that exist are unconditional release waivers and outright assignment waivers.
• Both are irrevocable. You can’t cancel waiver requests or waiver claims.
• Unconditional release waivers are required before the club can release a player. Placing the player on unconditional release waivers removes the player from all rosters. The waiver price is $1. Players are typically not claimed, but if they are, they have 5 days to reject the claim, which makes them a free agent and lets the requesting club off the hook for any more money. If the player does not reject the claim, the claiming club assumes the rest of the player’s contract. If no club makes a claim, the player is a free agent, with the requesting club responsible for the rest of the salary. The player typically negotiates a salary for the pro-rated minimum for the club he wants to play for and his former club gets a setoff.
• An outright assignment means an assignment to the minors without the right of recall to the majors. This is the only way to send a player to the minors who is out of options. The point of the outright assignment is that it removes the player from the 40-man roster. Thus, a team might outright a player that still has options, if the club just wants the player off the 40-man. Outright assignment waivers are required before the club can actually outright the player. Placing the player on outright assignment waivers does not clear the 40-man roster spot. It’s only after the player clears waivers and the player is actually outrighted that the spot is available. The waiver price is $50,000
• During the season it typically takes 47 hours for a player to clear waivers. In the off-season and in the 4 days leading up to the regular season, neither waiver requests nor waiver claims can be made on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays. So in those cases, it takes longer to clear waivers if the club makes the waiver request on Thursday or Friday.
• If multiple clubs claim a player, the club with the lowest winning percentage in the standings wins the claim. You look to the prior season’s standings if the claiming period ends within the 1st 30 days of the regular season or in the off-season. At all other times, the current season’s standings control.
• If there’s a tie in the standings, priority is given to the team in the league of the club requesting waivers. If that doesn’t break the tie, go back to prior seasons’ standings back to the beginning of baseball if you have to, and the club with the lowest winning percentage gets the claim.
• A club requesting waivers must be careful that it doesn’t dilly-dally if they clear a player through outright assignment waivers, because the waivers are only good for so long, and how long they are good for depends on the time of year. If the club dilly-dallies, it has to start the process over.
• A club that claims a player on waivers and wins the waiver claim has to, at a minimum, have a 40-man roster spot for that player at the time of the award. If the 40-man roster is full, the club has to clear a spot by moving a player to the 60-day IL, or if that’s not possible, designate a player for assignment (DFA). If the player the club claimed is out of options or can’t be sent to the minors without his consent, a 25-man roster spot must also be cleared.
• In addition to clearing a roster spot immediately, the DFA buys the club time to either make the required roster move or figure out what it wants to do with the player. Basically, the only real options are trade, or put the player on one of the two waiver types (release or outright). On notice to the Commissioner, the DFA removes the player from all rosters, and the club has 7 days to make the actual roster move it decides on. If waivers are involved, the club must make the waiver request early enough that the move gets done before the 7 days.
• The DFA is not required to get rid of a player, but is used when the club needs a roster spot immediately and either hasn’t yet decided what to do with the player, or knows what it wants to do, but it would take too long. It’s also the fastest and safest way to do it.

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What does designated for assignment DFA mean in baseball?

Introduction

Quick Navigation

In every sport, rules are governing them. Baseball, as a sport, has its own rules and regulations guiding the game. These rules were put in place for players and officials to know what is to be done and what not to do in the game. These rules apply to every part of the game, from the equipment used in playing the game to how scores are counted. These rules help give the game a unified front and allow for a better understanding of the game. Most of the rules were created a long time ago and were later fine-tuned to fit into the modern-day context of the game. Having rules is a beautiful thing, as it helps solves a lot of knotted situations without much stress.

Know more: What is a save in baseball

There are certain terms and terminologies pertaining to different sports, likewise baseball. one of those terms in baseball includes the DFA. The DFA has only one meaning in baseball, which is designated for assignment. Knowing how to keep a score or a scorebook is not the only practice you need to know in baseball. There are certain terminologies you have to master and command before it can be said that you have the full knowledge of baseball. There are so many terminologies used in baseball, with each having different meanings. Terminologies such as balk, battery, bunt, count, cleanup, diamond, error flyball, and groundball, and a full count are common to baseball, and each has its meaning. However, out of all these terminologies, most people don’t understand the DFA; although, unlike the rest, it is not a term used during play, which is why it is not very popular amongst baseball enthusiasts. However, the full meaning of DFA in baseball will be explained to you as you continue reading.

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DFA in Baseball

DFA In baseball stands for designated for assignment; this term is used when a player’s contract is designated for assignment. Once this occurs, the player is removed from the roster at once. When you hear the term DFA, some other terminologies accompany it; all these will be explained for better understanding.

• What is DFA in Baseball?: The term DFA as said earlier stands for designated for assignment; this term is used when the player’s contract to his club is designated for assignment. Once this occurs, the player is immediately removed from the forty-man roster of his club; within a week or ten days of this agreement, the player can be placed on irrevocable outright waivers or traded. To better understand this term, one needs to be familiar with the term waiver in baseball.
• What is a waiver?: A waiver is a form of permission granted to other teams in baseball, which allows them to proceed with a player move that will not be allowed normally by the rules of the game.

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• Place player on waiver: After placing a player on DFA, the player can be claimed off waiver by another club. Once this club claims the player, he immediately joins their 40 man roster. At this point, the player can be sent to one of the clubs in the minor league. However, if the player can clear all waivers, he can be sent to the minor leagues or be released. If a player has played for about 3 to 5 years in the major league, the player must give his consent before being assigned to minor leagues. But in some cases, players withhold their consent. In this case, the club can either release the player or keep him on the roster of the major league. In both cases, the player will continue getting his pay under the terms of his agreement with the club.
• Trade the player: once a player is placed on DFA, the player may be traded. Some major team has been known to put their players on designated for assignment to increase the interest on such players, especially among teams not at the top of the waiver list. According to the waiver rule, other teams would have preferences in claiming a player. Also, under the five and ten rule, if a player has ten years experience in the major league, he cannot be traded without his consent.
• Release the player: If a player clears his waivers and is not traded, the players can be released from the team. Once the player is released, he becomes a free agent and can sign a new deal with any of the 30 major league teams with his present team inclusive.

Checkout the meaning of: Designated for Assignment in Basball

The designated for assignment is a terminology used for players that have been dropped from his team roster. Once a player is placed on DFA, the team releases the player or trades the player to another team in the major league. If it is a player with less than three years of experience in the major league, the player can be sent to one of the clubs in the minor league. However, in the case of a player with more than 5 or 10 years of experience in major league baseball, he cannot be traded or sent to the minor league without his consent. And if the player refuses to drop his consent, he is released and becomes a free agent and can end up still signing another contractual agreement with the team that just released him.

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Cubs designate lefty reliever for assignment

T he Cubs designated left-hander Richard Lovelady  for assignment Tuesday, per a team announcement. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to righty Tyson Miller , whose  previously reported trade from Seattle to Chicago is now official.

Lovelady, 28, signed a minor league pact with the Cubs in January and was selected to the big league roster in late April. He’s tossed 5 2/3 innings out of Craig Counsell’s bullpen and been tagged for five runs on nine hits and a pair of walks with six strikeouts. That marks the fifth big league season in which the southpaw has appeared; Lovelady made his MLB debut with the 2019 Royals and pitched in K.C. from 2019-21, and he logged 23 1/3 innings with the A’s last season. Overall, in 70 2/3 big league innings, he carries a 5.48 ERA but with a far more encouraging 22.7% strikeout rate, 8.8% walk rate and 49.8% ground-ball rate.

That blend of strikeouts, walks and grounders, and a strong Triple-A track record, has made Lovelady appealing to MLB teams over the past year despite a history of success in the majors. The Cubs are his fourth organization since Opening Day 2023. Lovelady has been picked up by the Braves in a small trade, claimed off waivers by the A’s, and quickly selected to the big leagues with the Cubs.

In parts of six Triple-A seasons, Lovelady has a 2.95 ERA with a sharp strikeout, walk and ground-ball rates of 26.6%, 6.8%, and 50.7%, respectively. He’s not a power arm, but he has added more than a mile per hour to his four-seamer and sinker since last year’s showing with Oakland. He sat at 91 mph with both pitches last year but averaged 92.8 mph on the four-seam and 92.5  mph on his two-seam during his brief showing with Chicago.

Lovelady does have a minor league option remaining, so any club that picks him up via trade or waiver claim could send him to Triple-A without first passing him through waivers themselves. He’ll be traded, claimed off waivers or assigned outright to Triple-A Iowa within the next week (if he clears waivers). He’s been outrighted previously in his career, so Lovelady would have the right to reject a minor league assignment from the Cubs if he goes unclaimed.

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Ryan McKenna let go by Baltimore Orioles. Here's what happens now for St. Thomas grad

Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, learned Monday he was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. This means he was removed from the club's 40-man roster. Within seven days, the Orioles must either trade McKenna or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers.

If McKenna, 27, a fourth-round selection by the Orioles in the 2015 draft, is claimed off waivers by another club, he will be assigned to his new team's 26-man roster because he no longer has minor league options. If he clears waivers, he would be free to join another organization, or return to the Orioles' minor league system.

McKenna was called up to Baltimore on April 26. He appeared in nine games and went 3-for-8, including two solo home runs. Austin Hayes, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing three weeks with a strained calf, took McKenna's spot on the roster.

McKenna appeared in the majors with the Orioles for the fourth season. He began this season at Triple-A Norfolk , batting .244 with two homers and five RBIs before being called up to the majors.

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Last year, McKenna appeared in 89 games in the regular season and had career highs in several categories, including batting average (.254), on-base percentage (.316), slugging (.677), RBIs (18), and stolen bases (five).  

The Orioles won the American League East last year with a record of 101-61, and were swept by the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series. McKenna, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk in the final week of the regular season, was not on the postseason roster .

McKenna appeared in 291 games with the Orioles since he made his debut in 2021. He had eight home runs and 45 RBIs, and a batting average of .224. His first career MLB hit was a triple in 2021 against the Boston Red Sox off Nick Pivetta at Camden Yards.

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Mets designate one-time All-Star, righty reliever for assignment

The Mets will have a week to trade or waive the pair.

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Pirates designate LHP Josh Fleming for assignment one night after a poor relief performance

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Josh Fleming throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, May 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Josh Fleming delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, one day after he allowed six runs while getting just three outs in a relief appearance.

The Pirates recalled right-hander Ryder Ryan from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill Fleming’s spot.

“We needed a bullpen arm,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Tuesday before a game with the Milwaukee Brewers. “We have other guys that are available tonight and we need the innings. Josh became the odd man out.”

Fleming, who turns 28 on Saturday, had a 1-1 record and a 5.68 ERA with one save in 17 appearances with the Pirates this season. He had pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2020-23.

After heading into April 30 with a 1.29 ERA, Fleming had given up 11 runs – 10 earned – over five innings in his last five appearances.

In the Pirates’ 8-6 victory over the Brewers on Monday night, Fleming allowed a grand slam to Jake Bauers and gave up a two-run double to Willy Adames.

He started the seventh inning with the Pirates ahead 5-0 before allowing Adames’ double. After the Pirates extended their lead to 7-2 in the top of the eighth, Fleming faced four batters in the bottom of the inning without retiring any. Blake Perkins and Gary Sánchez opened with singles, and after Joey Ortiz reached on an error by shortstop Oneil Cruz to load the bases, Bauers hit a shot over the right field wall to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 7-6.

Five of the six runs Fleming allowed were earned.

Ryan, 29, has gone 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in nine relief appearances with Pittsburgh this season. He also has an 0-0 record and 3.86 ERA in five games with Indianapolis.

“This guy throws a sinker that really does a nice job of getting ground balls when he executes it,” Shelton said.

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Washington Nationals Designate Former All-Star Reliever Matt Barnes For Assignment

Sam connon | may 7, 2024.

• Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals have designated relief pitcher Matt Barnes for assignment, the team announced Tuesday morning.

Washington made the move in order to free up space for left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia, who was activated off of the 15-day injured list. Garcia had been out with the flu since April 21.

Barnes, meanwhile, had been on the Nationals' active roster since Opening Day. The 33-year-old righty had a 6.75 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings and a -0.2 WAR in 13.1 innings this season.

The Nationals have returned LHP Robert Garcia from rehab assignment and reinstated him from the 15-day Injured List.  The Nationals have designated RHP Matt Barnes for assignment.  The 40-man roster is now at 39. — Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) May 7, 2024

The last time Barnes took the mound was May 2 against the Texas Rangers . He gave up three hits, a walk and three earned runs in that game, which marked the third contest this season in which he allowed multiple runs.

That doesn't mean Barnes wasn't effective at times in 2024, though, considering eight of his 14 appearances were scoreless. His ERA was sitting at 3.24 as recently as April 21.

Barnes signed a minor league contract with the Nationals in February.

It's been a tough few years for Barnes, who was once a first round pick, World Series champion and All-Star with the Boston Red Sox .

Right after he signed a two-year, $18.75 million contract extension with the Red Sox in 2021, his numbers fell off. From Aug. 7 to the end of the regular season, Barnes posted a 10.13 ERA, .340 batting average against and a 1.110 OPS against.

Barnes then went 0-4 with a 4.31 ERA in 2022, before Boston traded him to the Miami Marlins in 2023. Through 24 appearances that year, Barnes had a 5.48 ERA and 1.641 WHIP, at which point he underwent season-ending hip surgery .

Now, Barnes is either headed back to the minors, the waiver wire or the open market.

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Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.

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Pirates Designate Roansy Contreras, Place Ke’Bryan Hayes On 10-Day IL

By Mark Polishuk | May 11, 2024 at 10:55pm CDT

2:18PM : The Pirates have officially announced the selection of Skenes’ contract and the other transactions.  Hayes’ IL designation is listed as low back inflammation.

12:53PM : Pirates GM Ben Cherington announced to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ( links to X ) and other reporters that right-hander Roansy Contreras has been designated for assignment.  This move opens up a roster spot for Paul Skenes , as the star prospect is set to make his Major League debut in today’s game against the Cubs.  Cherington also revealed that third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a bad back, and infielder Alika Williams has been called up from Triple-A to take Hayes’ spot on the active roster.

It wasn’t long ago that Contreras was a notable prospect in his own right, checking into the back end of top-100 lists from Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America, and MLB Pipeline prior to the 2022 season.  Acquired from the Yankees as part of the four-player return in the Jameson Taillon trade in the 2020-21 offseason, Contreras elevated his stock in his first season in Pittsburgh’s farm system, culminating in reaching the big leagues for one game before the 2021 campaign was over.  The righty then posted a 3.79 ERA in 95 innings (starting 18 of 21 games) in 2022, and looked like a promising building block within the Pirates’ rotation heading into 2023.

Unfortunately, things then went south for Contreras during a disastrous season.  He posted a 6.59 ERA over 68 1/3 MLB innings, and first lost his rotation job with a demotion to the bullpen, and then was optioned back to Triple-A altogether and didn’t pitch again in the majors after July 5.  The move to Triple-A didn’t get Contreras on track, as he had a 4.96 ERA over 32 2/3 frames for Indianapolis.  Contreras also spent some time going fully back to the drawing board with the Pirates’ Complex League team, trying to work out the mechanical problems that led to such issues a drop in his strikeout rate, an increase in his walk rate, and a minor velocity drop on his fastball.

Pitching out of the Pittsburgh bullpen this season, Contreras’ bottom-line numbers improved to the tune of a 4.41 ERA in 16 1/3 innings, and his strikeout rate rose from 18.2% in 2023 to 21.6% this year.  It still isn’t exactly an eye-catching set of results, and the Pirates have seen enough to feel comfortable in possibly losing Contreras to the waiver wire.  While the righty is out of minor league options and thus had to be DFA’ed in order to be sent to Triple-A, it still counts as a bit of a surprise to see the Bucs potentially move on from a 24-year-old who showed such potential as recently as 2022.  Odds are that Contreras will be claimed away for nothing unless the Pirates can get some kind of trade return from a particularly interested team before the end of Contreras’ DFA period.

Skenes’ first taste of the majors will come without the luxury of the game’s best defensive third baseman behind him.  Hayes hasn’t played since May 7 and he is only 2-for-26 in his last seven games, dropping his slash line to .240/.322/.318 over 149 plate appearances for the season.  Hayes has only hit one home run after he hit 15 taters in 2023, and his Isolated Power total of .078 is less than half of his .182 ISO from last year.

While Hayes has both increased his walk rate and reduced his strikeouts, it is fair to wonder if his back problem is the cause of these offensive struggles.  Hayes only had a 101 wRC+ in 2023, but getting even league-average offense from such an elite defender makes Hayes a very valuable player.  Speaking of glovework, a -9.1 UZR/150 for Hayes this season is perhaps the bigger red flag that he isn’t physically right, even if other defensive metrics (+2 Outs Above Average, +3 Defensive Runs Saved) still have a positive view of Hayes’ defense.

Jared Triolo is the only other Pirate to get any time at third base besides Hayes this season, so Triolo could be shifted from his usual second base spot over to the hot corner while Hayes is sidelined.  This would make Williams and Nick Gonzales the top options for second base, leaving the Bucs quite thin on the infield.  Llover Peguero and Ji Hwan Bae are on the 40-man roster and could be called up more easily from Triple-A if a need develops, or the Pirates could look to obtain more experienced infield help on the open market or via a minor trade.

173 Comments

No way they’re giving up on Contreras this early.

Appears so. Once a player is DFAd, he’s basically gone. No doubt he’ll be traded, maybe someone can fix him.

Always – not true; often a player clears waivers, no one claiming him & he gets a choice to become a free agent or take an assignment in the minors. My guess is Contreras will be in Indy soon.

He’s awful. Nobody will claim him so he’ll be down in Indy

The Yankees will claim him and turn him into an elite reliever in a matter of days.

Wrong. He’s another example of the Pirates screwing up a pitcher.

Yes he’s awful, but someone will claim him guaranteed.

no kidding PuttPutt

Out of options and not good enough to be on a big league roster. They tried hiding him in the ‘pen like a rule 5 pick, but there’s been no improvement from last season.

We’ll take him and turn him into a weapon. Kid has a live arm. I think he’s a bit of a tweener in that he has more of a starters repertoire but can’t locate enough to get consistent results there. They tried to let him loose in the pen and it hasn’t popped like they hoped. I’m sure there’s production in there somewhere, it’ll just be a matter of if a team can get it out of him. Maybe he’s reached his ceiling.

The kid has a live arm?

His velocity on his fastball fell significantly over the past two years and his slider often times hangs up too much in the strike zone 3 years ago he had a live arm, he doesn’t anymore

I mean, is he not still hitting 96? Does the slider not have movement? Obviously he’s a project if he’s getting dfa’d, I merely wanted to point out that there’s some talent there, and the journey might not be over

His fastball is closer to 92 than 95 and has no movement and his slider is ineffective He only throws 2 pitches which makes him predictable

He AVERAGES 95 on the heater THIS YEAR. And also throws a curve and a change.

SODO, he can hit 105 on the gun but it won’t matter if he is either throwing it dead red or can’t master his control And bis off speed pitches have the same general problem Agree that he’s worth someone taking a chance to turn him around and his troubles seem to begin in his head, with self confidence. Wearing a new uniform might be a start. Here, pitchers need to be almost perfect as they rarely have run support

according to mlb.com, batters are hitting .392 against his fastball

Is that good?

it’s good for the batter, not so much for Contrares

Have you watched him pitch? He could not be counted on to over a year now

Why would they bring back shoestring williams??? Shelton must live this anemic little league player

No one else to really bring up to help the INF. look at the guys down in AAA that are INFers and tell me who you’d suggest to come up while Hayes hits the IL. Triolo is going to slide over to 3B and Williams/Gonzales will work 2nd Base. Offense isn’t the pirates strongest area and it been known for several years.

BC must view Bae as a CF only now. He looked poor at 2nd last year.

Bae is hitting quite well in Indy, while Williams can barely hit his weight in Pittsburgh

I dunno. Is Peguero hurt? If nothing else, he showed some spark here when he first came up

I’ll answer my own question. No, he’s at Indy, hitting .293. A lot more upside to him than Bae as a fielder and Alika as a hitter Then again, Lamb is down at AAA, hitting .369 as Tellez gets a roster spot Kooky, no?

Bae is hitting .373 and playing every game at Indy but some here prefer Taylor and Williams SMH

With Tellez, a $3.5 mil contract has everything to do with it. He may still find it. Only been 1.5 months.

I have been saying for a month to let Tellez go. He’s not hitting and Pirates need a power bat. Rather that is Lamb or a trade, Tellez isn’t the answer.

Tellez isn’t the answer and neither is Taylor A combined $7.5 million for their salaries and what have they achieved?

the problem with trading say Rowdy, he brings no value to the table and it would require more than just him to bring back a power hitting first baseman And it’s too early for him to be DFAed, Nutting isn’t about to eat whatever is left of his salary already I imagine we are stuck with him for awhile

I’m happy enough with MAT. He’s hitting pretty much as badly as players around him – awful with the bat but at least provides def value unlike Suwinski, Tellez, Cutch.

Once Haines is fired he’ll be a decent piece for what they’re paying him.

I read that the approach of the hitters in taking as many pitches as possible during their plate appearances is directed by Cherington and not Haines. Which could explain why Shelton constantly defends Haines And that they won’t fire Haines, at least not during the current season, if at all.

Does anyone know how many years BC has left on his contract?

Where did you read that? Could you provide link?

I’ve read that too about Cherington but don’t remember the site.

Bucsdugout website I believe

Hmmm…. no credibility on that site for quite a long time. Even the commenters claim the writers are SBN bots.

also try Greensborosports.com

apparently Haines was their hitting coach in 2011

I don’t know what to tell you, Terrier1980. But regardless of where I read it, the approach that these players are using at the plate isn’t working Whether it’s BC or Haines’ fault, a change is needed

It’s Haines and he needs to go ASAP. You were right all along.

MAT going yard oppo field, haha!

I almost fell out of my chair when Taylor finally connected on a home run. Good for him and the team

Yes tired I was wondering about peguerro myself. Apparently SkELTON has a man crush on AKEho Williams. And when are the pirates going to make SKELTON walk the plank. He blew today’s game. Skenes was ok in his first game, amazing potential. But SKELTON might ruin him if he still mismanageds the pirates. I can’t stand this walking coaching disaster.

Man 3, I wholeheartedly agree. Haines, SKELTON and cherrington need replaced. IMMEDIATELY

Shelton has a tendency of pulling pitchers out of the game too early as he should have given Skenes the opportunity to get out of the 5th inning in today’s game He did it again with Perez the other day then Ortiz blew the lead and the game

Shelton micro manages every facet of the game and doesn’t give his players confidence when he does that kind of thing

If Nutting really cared about being competitive he would be putting management on the chopping block

Sorry, he was this awful in Milwaukee last season. Just a dumb signing.

He has zero feel for the flow of a game. It’s really quite impressive.

I found the article, Terrier1980

DKsports.com May 3rd edition

This is yet another instance where you would simply wonder why. Why tinker with Reynolds? He doesn’t look like the same hitter from two years ago. Why tinker with Suwinski unless you truly have answers (they don’ t)? You have taken away his homers and accomplished nothing other than having him “hang in” against left handers Just doesn’t sound right

and obviously they don’t have much confidence in him hitting against lefties despite doing well against them this season In fact, Suwinski plays less often than he did last year it seems

do you think they have tinkered with Rowdy’s swing, tired?

Cutch is strictly the DH

Rowdy looks like the same guy we saw in Milwaukee last season. I said it was a dumb signing given that but hey, some have it an A+

I have a question for you, Tired

If Hayes is out for a lengthy period beyond the 10 day IL, will Triolo be able to hit better and who else do they have that can play 3rd base

I thought Triolo was the real deal when he came up at the end of last season. But he sure hasn’t shown much this year. Doesn’t look like a guy you’d call a star in the making. Utility, that’s about it Loved the last 3 batters in today’s lineup. Tellez. Bart. Williams. A collective 0 for 8 so far But hey, guys undoubtedly a day off from the salt mines and all

I thought he was the real deal too last year but obviously he isn’t this year

I made this comment below and it’s worth repeating They score 10 runs yesterday on 5 homers, their best offensive performances in at least a month and most homers in a game in a year Why change the lineup? Why not go with who’s hot?

By the way called third strike today, 5 times

Triolo has a phenomenal arm and is a defensive whiz but he has also regressed this year offensively And with Hayes gone for at least 10 days along with the other light hitting players we have, it should be only a matter of time before we’re so far out of contention that it won’t matter whether Jake or Bae are promoted

I am not against your opinions. The Pirates have a surplus of middle infielders and pitching. Making a call to the Mets or even Guardians wouldn’t hurt. Manzaro is roughly a year away at best, but I think he can be a stud. I wonder what the Guardians would ask for him?

Tampa has Morgan and Isaac who could be 3 years away at best. I like Morgan for some reason but Tampa always asks for the moon and stars for players. Hence Archer. So, I wouldn’t be hard pressed on those two because Tampa will want Jones in return. Something I am not ok with. Priester, Kellers, Ortiz, or Oviedo (will need to add 2 others due to his injury) are guys I can see being used to trade for a long term answer at 1B (once Andy Haines is gone and put a guy like Andy VanSlyke at hitting coach)

The Pirates are going to have one helluva starting staff here in a year or two. But if they aren’t going to make moves, how will it matter Cruz is the only guy in the lineup who you may get 25 or more homers out of, a guy who can drive in a lot of runs After him, who do you have? There is no one on this roster who can drive in runs. There’s no one coming up through the pipeline. That leaves trades for young hitters with potential to stock your minors again—-because let’s face it, that’s all this roster can bring back in value—-or finally go after a big bat or two to play OF of perhaps 1B And truthfully, I doubt ownership will opt to do that, shame as it is Suwinski. Taylor. Olivares. Smith-Ngiba. White. Palacios. None of these guys are the answer Odd as it is, I’d have pegged Davis as a guy with potential until they messed with his head

Yea tired, they do mess with these young guys. I wonder how many of these young guys would flourish under a different manager or team

We touched on this in another thread, Tired. Last year when Davis played right field, while he wasn’t a great hitter, he still managed to hit 7 homers in limited play As a catcher, he was lucky to hit the ball out of the infield this year

I realize this happened under a different General Manager, but look how Charlie Morton became a good pitcher after he left for Philadelphia or even for only a few years, Austin Meadows found his power when he was traded to the Rays Not every player that leaves thrives elsewhere but there’s enough to make me wonder

We can talk scouting and player development and their assorted shortcomings for years. And we have, really. I’d love to know the thinking of the front office. They know they have a real problem but embraced the Rays’ blueprint. As Dream stated, it failed The Rays draft better. They develop better. Funny that the O’s and Reds use the same blueprint So now what? They won’t burn it all down yet And they’re smart enough to know that no hitting coach is going to magically make power hitters or run producers out of this lot Not in Pittsburgh. Not on the farm The most logical thing is to sign a couple big timers. Open up the checkbook I’m betting their plan is to go after more Tellez types and keep the hype game going “Don’t believe what you actually are watching.”

@PiratesFan1981 I assume you’re talking about Manzardo. He’s not a year away; he’s in the majors right now. The Guardians also love him and I feel like they’d trade Naylor before they traded him because of the way they typically operate.

Might as well talk about Jose Bautista if you’re going to discuss what happened in previous regimes.

Yes, Bautista and even Jay Bell both found their raw power after leaving the Bucs But my point was that the Bucs for some reason have problems getting the best from players and those players find their maturity with other clubs

I’d personally rather see Peguero given Pirates offensive woes, but I’m sure BC/DS want Williams for his defensive abilities at SS.

Williams is no defensive whiz either as he’s made several errors playing shortstop and even at second base And I agree, especially for offense, Peguerro is better and despite yesterday, they need offense

Agreed, Scott. And the kid played with some fire. I want Gonzales to succeed but it’s hard to see it happening. And Alika is really the defensive replacement they currently can’t afford in such an anemic offense But it was HR derby yesterday. Hope springs eternal

Wow, pretty shocked the Pirates threw in the towel so quickly on Contreras. He was a pretty highly regarded prospect in the very recent past and he isn’t even 25 yet. Weird.

I wouldn’t mind seeing the O’s send them some cash for the opportunity to tinker with him and see if they can turn him into something useful.

highly touted 3 years ago isn’t anymore

His problem is in his head, first and foremost. One problem during an outing usually morphs into three or four more. His first year here looked promising and most thought he’d compete to be a starter. A couple rough outings and the next thing you know, he has no command and has lost 5-6 mph on the fastball Now it’s become an issue of control or throwing dead red Yeah, maybe the O’s or Yanks take a shot. A change of scenery might be a good first step

O’s really don’t have the space for another non option able pitcher but I too was surprised to see him on the DFA train.

Light hitting Williams recalled while hot hitting Bae remains in Indy This management makes zero sense

And Contrares regressed from his first season, lost velocity on his fastball and only throws 2 pitches Fastball and slider

They brought up hot hitting Gonzales just the other day. Does it really make sense to call up Bae as well?

What I mean is Williams is a jabber for the Pirates. They are counting on Bae and/or Gonzales to break through. Why take ABs for both when one can get them at Indy and the other in Pittsburgh. Why count all the chickens before all the eggs hatch?

Why? Because our collective offense sucks with the players we have now unless you would rather w wait until we’re 20 games out of first place to improve the offense

Bae can also play center field unless you prefer Taylor who strikes out more often than anyone on the team

if Bae can contribute to the offense why not bring him up.

Bae will cost more runs on defense than he can produce on offense. Everyone knew what Taylor was when we signed him; light hitter who Ks a lot but a great defender. Bae is only ok offensively because of his speed but a terrible defender at 2nd and CF. We have plenty of IF depth. The issue is we have nothing promising on offense, in Pitt or in the minors. If Lamb comes up he’ll hit 200 with no power, we already have that. Bae will come up and hit 235, we already have that. Same with Peguero. If we don’t trade for production then we won’t have production. Once the pitching hits a wall we’ll be 20 game under 500.

Surely worth trying a new hitting coach, though?

Great that Taylor is a good defender but this team needs offense badly and while Bae isn’t good at 2nd base he’s good playing center field

He might be a better CF than 2b but that doesn’t mean he’s good. Below average (-1) if you’re in to those stats. His offensive numbers weren’t good last year and nothing tells me he’ll be any better this year. I agree we need offense but it won’t be found within the organization.

Rowdy is a good defender of first base and couldn’t hit a ball off of a T

Who do you trade and who would the opposing team want? You aren’t going to get much in return if who you’re offering doesn’t have any value

Our bullpen blew a 5 run lead in this game, and I can’t watch this fiasco anymore even after the rain delay ends

All we have to offer is young pitching. Hate to dip in that well but… Its that or sign a decent free agent now and again and we know that’s not going to happen.

They are leaving Bae in AAA to find out if he can play CF.We may forget that the Pirate credo is to move these guys all around and mess with their heads.Bae is so fast that he may become a good centerfielder but outfield and infield are two very different animals.

Lamb should have been called up to play 1b.

Contreras would be a perfect flier for the Nationals, but I doubt they do it.

Williams might be the weakest hitter in MLB. His defense is plus, but he’s a complete zero hitting. You can’t afford to carry him when your 1B (Tellez) sports a sub .550 OBP, your everyday CF (Suwinski) is under .550 OPS and 3-week spring training sensation Triolo as everyday 2B joins the sub-550 OPS clan as well. Why not recall Peguero when no infielder is even replacement level?

I liked Roansy, even before the Pirates traded for him. Wish it worked out.

I hope that they can get something decent for him in a minor bidding war. I am surprised that they did not send Priester down and put Marco on the 60 day IL.

Priester, despite having 2 years of major league experience under his belt, is still not a major league pitcher

Contreras seems like he would be a fit in the White Sox bullpen, because they are going to need guys to cover innings in blowouts.

The Guardians needing pitching depth and the Pirates needing infield depth makes this an interesting possible match to me.

At worst, the Guardians could use Contreras in the role Pedro Avila has now, or they could stretch him back out over time. They still have a million infielders so someone like Jose Tena going the other way might make some sense.

The Bucs don’t need infield depth, they need a first baseman who doesn’t hit .200 with very little power

Whatcha willing to trade for Darick Hall?

I live near Philadelphia and think that Hall would be a good catch. He is blocked by Harper now. I would give up a couple of decent minor league pitchers for him plus another player if they would take Telez off the Pirates hands.

Also Clemens has moved ahead of him so he should be available.

This is the route they should be thinking of but probably aren’t. Again, a staff of Jones, Keller and Skenes plus two. It behooves them to see the future and so many of the guys on this roster just aren’t it

The Guardians can offer Jhonkensy Noel who has light tower power and won’t hit .200. The problem is that he won’t hit .200 because he’ll be way under that lol

I’m mostly being sarcastic so don’t take that part seriously but he really does have prodigious power, although the fact that he’s in AAA and hasn’t hit more consistently seems to be a pretty strong hint that he probably never will.

So… the pirates are spending $80m on a guy with yearly back problems.

It’s a shame, but yep… looks like Hayes is gonna struggle with his back for the rest of his time in Pittsburgh.

What is the prediction for Pirate batter’s strikeouts and runs for tonight’s game? Double digit ks 3 or less runs

Pirates or Cubbies with most K’s in Skenes debut?

The Pirates struck out 12 times last night, 8 alone by two of their relievers and considering Skenes will most likely be on a limited pitch count, I would go with the Pirates hitters They excel at that, have made it their goal every game it seems

Would I prefer that Skenes strike out more Cubs? Absolutely. But this offense stinks

I’m calling a 10/10 tie 🙂

That’s like 2-1 odds with this group. Agree on Ks but I say only 1 run tonight. With that Skenes will get the loss in his debut.

Can’t wait to see the Rays or Yankees claim him and turn him into a Cy Young candidate.

And I can’t wait to laugh at you when they can’t

Seriously, will you even remember this post?

Oh he will! Believe me, he will.

I have a vivid memory of my childhood and that was 60+ years ago

The Yankees have a very good pitching coach. He turned Clay Holmes around and it wouldn’t surprise me that he’d work on Roansy’s head so he can realize that raw talent he has

Contreras always had potential, it was only 2 years ago when he was the 2nd best pirates starter I can’t believe they are giving up on him already

He reminds me of Solomon Torres from the early 2000s. Had 2 pitches and surprised early as a starter but faded badly. Torres though was good out of the pen. Contreras not so much. Without options he had to go.

Maybe Roansy needs to give up baseball for a couple of years… haha.

I loved Solly Torres in that team with Wilson, Sanchez, Giles etc.

Change of scenery and change of pitching coaches will do Roansy alot of good. Good luck Roansy!

Roansy to the M’s makes too much sense. Outbid everyone for a trade and put him in the bullpen. Make this happen!

Kirby for Contreras will work, if you’re looking to outbid everyone.

Ha! Maybe throw in Skenes and Jared Jones and we’ll talk lol 🙂

Would you take Andy Haines as a bonus?

Sure, then fire him immediately lol.

Cubs need to take a chance on Contreras. The chances are low because of their record.

Watch the rays get Roansy and fix him in a matter of weeks lol

I will watch the Rays find out what everyone in this organization already knows He’s at best a short time reliever with no upside

Brewers should give him a look they have good success in helping young arms

I guess we should have kept him. Hope Nicolas is on the first bus to Indy. What an embarrassing performance in front of a packed house.

Skenes’ debut wasn’t exactly Strasburg-ian, limited to four innings with eight runners on base, but the talent was evident. Hopefully the Pirates can help him refine his skills.

I think Skenes was a little nervous too, taking the mound and from all of the national hype and attention he was receiving He comes across like an introvert but with people skills because of the attention he received in college Pitching in small market culture might be good for him

I remember Strasburg’s debut and you’re right. Don’t know who was calling Skenes’ pitches but it appeared they wanted to establish off speed pitches a bit too much while nibbling on corners of left handed batters. No doubt he overthrew on a number of fastballs but that’s understandable Unlike some, I had no problem in lifting him as management wanted him to come out of the experience with a positive vibe. He’d already worked out of a jam He and Jones are an impressive 1-2 punch for the future

now if we could only find a 1-2 punch of Cruz and another hitter with power It certainly isn’t Rowdy or Jack And Triolo has been a major disappointment, if Hayes is on the IL longer than expected, we’re in trouble

Even if Hayes is healthy, they’re in trouble. Let’s face it. I mean, he’s on a pace for what, .260 and. 40 rbi?

So sad that it appears the Buccos cannot develop players

So SKELTON IS PLAYING SLEEPY ASHEHO WILLIAMS AT SECOND TODAY. WHY WHY WHY??? THIS GUY BELONGS IN THE FAST GOOD INDUSTRY. FOR THAT MATTER, SO DOES MORON SKELTON. IM BEGINNING TO HATE SKELTON AS MUCH AS I DETEST SMALL HANDS

Tell us how you really feel, Buccoprojectory!

Seriously, I agree. Williams should be a defensive replacement only and not be seeing any pitches Otherwise, both Jack and Rowdy, at least at this stage of the game, shouldn’t be in the lineup either Your “ small hands “ dig here and on other comments is what I’m presuming is a reference to the most corrupt politician in history?

The team collectively scored 10 runs yesterday with 5 homers. Why change the lineup? You had hitters yesterday doing good work, getting on base and scoring runs. I have an idea, says Shelton, let’s change the lineup so we can possibly lose to a 34 year old pitcher who is fresh off of the IL

Man 3..yes I am referring to shithispants..and yes SKELTON doesn’t believe in playing guys 4 or 5 times a week….basically he’s got a bigger worm in his brain than RFK jr

One of my pet peeves about our hitters is being called out on strikes, instead of protecting the plate and fouling off the close pitch. Like worthless Rowdy just did

I agree with you. Remember as kids playing baseball. The opposing team would chant “swing batter swing “. Maybe that’s what the fans should shout

AB AVG HR RBI SB OPS 149 .208 0 8 1 .542

These are the career stats of SKELTONS man crush ASSHEO Williams. Putrid player, putrid manager. Maybe next road trip. Motel 6 will keep the lights on for them

Bednar doesn’t have it this year either

They’re back to normal, handful of hits, double digit strikeouts, can’t score with bases loaded and only one out and probably another loss awaits them Rowdy should be DFAed, only trade Contrares for a power hitter and send Triolo back to Indy, bring up Bae. This team needs a shake up Bae or Pegs

They’ve got the book on Bednar, that’s for sure. But I guess the idea with Chapman is that they spent $10M and are going to get their mileage out of him. If Tellez should go, this guy should be hitching a ride. I can’t remember a worse late inning reliever than this guy. Starting pitching isn’t the issue here. And now, a 6-man rotation for a while Lack of driving in runs and guys like Chapman are killer for any team

I feel bad for Tellez when the fans boo him but on the other hand, I blame his inability to be productive on the coaching staff and Cherington for wasting $3 million dollars on signing him I was originally hoping he would return to 2022 form or even somewhere between 22 and 23 but it seems he was just a waste of money and a roster There’s so many holes in this lineup, Rowdy isn’t the only problem

I can agree with that. I’ve never been someone to boo a player…or worse….but perhaps it goes with the territory. Look who he had starting today. Tellez. Bart. Suwinski. Alika. It’s almost unbelievable

RumBunter website today has an informative article about how Haines has changed the batting styles of Hayes, Reynolds and Suwinski, trying to make them contact hitters instead of allowing each to focus on their own style of batting The article also places some blame on Cherington for allowing this to continue because it’s not working

Especially when the players he had started yesterday delivered in a very productive game So instead of using the same lineup, he starts 5 very weak hitting players and ironically, the runs today were a result of the same players that were productive yesterday

I can’t speak to RumBunter’s journalistic integrity. And I don’t know if the writer’s own lack of mechanical knowledge where hitting is concerns colors the article. But again, it sounds like Haines is a disciple of linear hitting, that is, throwing your hands in a line to the pitch. When someone is talking about contact where 95mph+ pitches are concerned, it’s a standard strategy But again, the tone here is borderline incompetence if it’s true and really, that’s a big “if” I’m a bit unsure as to why Reynolds would stick with a program that’s dropped his batting average into the .230’s. He’s had a year of it now, and after being a guy in the batting race every year suddenly turned to this program and dropped into the .250’s. Now this. Is the guy stupid? Suwinski has declined too, if that’s possible. And his power is gone. As a young player he has to be intelligent enough to know that proceeding down this path is a ticket to being DFA’d Look, again, they ran Canada out of town with similar pieces. Yeah, he was out of his element, but only a fool believes he’s completely ignorant to what’s going on with his Steelers offense. The Pens ran off Rierden thanks to one of the worst power plays in the NHL Sacrificial lambs. I’m sure assistant coaches needed to go and I’m sure Haines does, as well. But there are some whoppers told sometimes to get the desired effect. This one is just too hard to believe.

Not only does he stick with it but he is all in. Haines is his hitting coach in off season. Nothing to lose. He is already paid. Probably realized Haines ain’t going anywhere.

I understand hitting gurus can sometimes have the effect of being a pied piper for some guys. But when you’ve watched your batting average plummet over two seasons and your home run production spiral downward as well, and you continue to follow the guy….well, I have to wonder about a player’s intelligence. In this case, Reynolds in particular Hard to believe how far this guy has fallen. Then there’s Suwinski. What justification could be employed by these guys in keeping with “the program?” But there’s a great deal of information about Haines’s techniques and philosophies that I’d have to question as being accurate Something is amiss with the Pirates, however, and that’s system-wide. Look at the batting averages and you see relatively few guys beyond Bae, Lamb and Peguero doing well. McAdoo is suddenly showing signs of life But that’s about it Kind of amazing to watch Reynolds, Suwinski and Bednar decline to this degree And the A+ signings of Tellez, Chapman, Taylor and Grandal rank quite possibly rank as the franchise’s worst ever

Bold of you to call them A+. Only one that has paid off so far is Grandal. Still far from the worst.

Those guys only have good ba because they are quad A players.

Let me put you on the spot, Dream. Name a worse free agency signing haul in an off season under Huntington or. Cherington. I’ll wait. Even the VanMeter off season was better I questioned each signing this off season. Unnecessary. A waste of money. They look even worse now. Especially Chapman Give Grandal some time. He doesn’t have much competition here in Bart but I’m sure he’ll show why he’s been a journeyman very soon

Diaz Overpay Barajas Bedard but at least they played unlike Chisenhall. Go back to Littlefield and include almost everyone he signed. Old washed up guys like Bell.

Yoshi cost more than Tellez and couldn’t even play 1b.

With inflation and market adjustment the 2.5 3.5 4 million deals are absolutely nothing compared to that amount a decade or score ago. All 1 year deals. Lirano signing was so bad he gave away 2 of his better prospects just to get out from paying that contract.

Why does Tellez have so many abs? Why doesn’t Joe have more?

It’s easy to say that these opinion pieces don’t have any value but when several put the offense blame on Haines there has to be some truth to it

Probably because they are paying Rowdy more than Joe

I have watched the batting stance of Reynolds this year and in previous years. He stands lower in the box now which might be contributing to his lack of power, Rowdy stands in the box with his bat on his shoulder and it seems to take longer to get his bat on the ball. I don’t have any opinion on Jack except that he’s not the same player as he was last year and often times can’t catch up to fastballs and he’s supposed to be a dead fastball hitter

There was a point last season when it appeared Reynolds abandoned the crouch. His average rose. He seldom struck out. You could count on him to lift a fly ball with the bases loaded and one out in the 9th of a tie game. But you’re right. He’s in the slight crouch again. In Triolo’s second visit here last season, he was more upright. He made better contact. He showed some power I have no idea why these guys are again all in with this hitting instruction. It worked for Pete Rose and Tony Gwynn. None of these guys are in the same hemisphere As for Suwinski, his story reminds me of Contreras and Davis. I’m wondering what his mindset is at this point. In the case of all three, these are young players and these are not prolonged slumps. It’s become who they are

While I don’t listen to Mark Madden’s radio show because if you haven’t figured it out, he’s merely playing a role, especially when he engages with callers, his columns on TribLive are almost always spot on, regardless of the sport or team he’s discussing If you have not read today’s posting regarding Skenes’ debut and the hysterics of that day and Shelton’s abilities, in general, you owe it to yourself.

I read Maddon’s columns every day and he makes a valid argument about Skenes’ debut but I still think nerves got the better of him on Saturday, his next start in Chicago on Friday, he should be more settled

Have you seen the look on Reynolds’ face lately since he’s been crouching down again? He doesn’t look happy and when he swings the bat barely making contact, he appears angry It makes me wonder if he’s voiced his frustration at Haines or Shelton and what their reaction is.

Something something about water finding level

DKPittsburghsports.com

an article written by a Post Gazette sports columnist who explains in detail why the hitting woes of this team falls directly on Haines, Shelton and Cherington I realize you don’t have much stock in opinion pieces but this is written by a credible columnist and worth reading

If you’re against using a stick to find water, AquaTrack 3000, a hand held device will detect where the water is located and at what depth below grade It’s expensive, about $3200

Other than Cruz, the most consistent player on this team, Connor Joe is not in tonight’s lineup and Jack is batting cleanup It’s my opinion that Shelton deliberately finds ways to lose games and does it by writing weak hitters into his lineup I am amazed by his ignorance but not surprised

No idea how Joe sits Maybe they feel Tellez will exact some revenge in his old ballpark. I understand why they have to play Gonzales and Triolo at this point, while Bae and Peguero sit at Indy Kinda surprised he didn’t go for the slam dunk and just play Bart, too The bottom of this line-up, complete with Taylor….jeez And I’d like to think of other options here but really, there are none

I looked at Rowdy’s batting stance when he played for the Brewers, his bat didn’t rest on his shoulder when the pitches were thrown Does Haines or Shelton believe that he would generate a longer swing in this manner? Why mess with something that works?

I watched him hit a homer against the Bucs in 2021 and his bat was raised behind his left shoulder and it was at an angle but not resting on his shoulder

And Reynolds should have been given the night off in favor of Joe or more Reynolds down in the order

By the way, Carlos Santana has hit a homer in three consecutive games and now has 7. For 2 million dollars more he could have been a Pirate as he’s making $5.2 million vs $3 million for Rowdy

Almost fell off my chair today when Jeff Passan went on and on about Skenes, which was fine, but then commented that Jones is up there with him and “the Pittsburgh Pirates are the most exciting team in baseball” These sub-Mendoza line averages would tell me otherwise, Jeffy. And that horrific game where the Cubs scored 6 runs via walks alone would tell me to reword my thought

I about fell out of my chair when Jack hit a homer but came back to earth when Rowdy hit a weak grounder and Triolo struck out looking Do they have another 3rd baseman in the minors if Hayes is out longer than 10 days?

23 hours ago

Reynolds went 5 for 5 tonight Jack homered Shelton had Nick bunt runners up in the 9th Just proves these guys read MLBTR fan comments Cough. Yeah, I’m kidding And how bad must a player be going if Greg Brown and Kevin Young are talking about the Pirates bending over backwards to give Tellez opportunities? And then, in his “big moment,” he strikes out with runners at 2nd and 3rd

21 hours ago

I noticed that Reynolds wasn’t crouching in tonight’s game, he was batting like he used to before the hands of Haines got into him I am excited for him, this might be the start of something for for him

Rowdy might be trying too hard, or just be a terrible player. Probably the latter

17 hours ago

Triolo is hovering around the Tellez line and is becoming an equally impotent force as Rowdy at the plate

9 hours ago

I figure if I write poorly about Priester, he’ll throw a 3-hit shutout tonight. But really, he’s a guy who doesn’t belong in the starting rotation Given the Pirates broadcasters’ critiques of Tellez and Lamb’s work at Indy, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict this is a do-or-die series for him He shouldn’t be alone. Chapman should be on the same train out of town

8 hours ago

I agree that we’re at a crossroads with the season and unless this team gets it together and soon, starting with this current series, players like Priester ( who doesn’t belong in the majors to begin with), Chapman, ( who should have never been signed), Tellez, ( same as Chapman) and even to some degree Triolo, there should be several serious changes that will need to be made with this roster It’s getting close to the time for Cherington to admit that his offseason dealings were monumental failures

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Yohan Ramirez designated for assignment

by Jesse Garcia | Mets Correspondent | Wed, May 15th 12:21pm EDT

RHP José Buttó has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. RHP Yohan Ramírez and INF Joey Wendle have been designated for assignment. RHP Grant Hartwig, LHP Joey Lucchesi and INF Mark Vientos have been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. — New York Mets (@Mets) May 15, 2024

Fantasy Impact:

Ramirez has now been designated for assignment by the Mets twice this season. He will likely head to a team that is in need of bullpen depth, if he is claimed on waivers.

Category: Transactions | More Yohan Ramirez : News , Rankings , Projections , Stats

New York Mets News

• Mark Vientos in the lineup Wednesday By Jesse Garcia
• Brett Baty out of the lineup Wednesday By Jesse Garcia
• Drew Smith (shoulder) not activated Wednesday By Jesse Garcia
• Grant Hartwig recalled from Triple-A By Jesse Garcia
• Joey Wendle designated for assignment By Jesse Garcia
• Jose Butto optioned to Triple-A By Jesse Garcia

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